Kolkata, Oct. 2 -- As reports surfaced alleging that people practise medicine using forged certificates and fake registration numbers, the state Health department issued new guidelines urging private health establishments to properly verify doctors' registration numbers before hiring them.
With an aim at curbing the appointment of fake doctors in private hospitals across the state, the Health department has issued the notification where the health establishments have been directed to verify the documents. As per Rule 7(4) of the West Bengal Clinical Establishment (Registration, Regulation and Transparency) Rules, 2017, private health facilities have been directed to verify all documents, a health official said.
"There have been examples where individuals claiming themselves as doctors practiced without valid registration numbers or approval for practicing. It affects the health system. So, we have asked licensing authorities to be vigilant to prevent this fraud," said an officer.
In case of any doubt about the identity, educational qualifications, registration of any person practising medicine, the appropriate authorities must be immediately informed. "In case of such doubts, the attention of the West Medical Council should be drawn immediately to verify the eligibility of the doctor concerned," the official added.
The issue was first highlighted by the Association of Private Medical Hospitals & Nursing Homes, which flagged instances of private healthcare facilities employing individuals without valid registrations. It also brought to light the instances where such individuals were independently offering medical services through private chambers.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.