MMC disqualifies docs with distance learning degrees
08/15/2015
Professionals have spent nearly Rs 50 lakh for the specialisations; city's Ruby Hall Clinic, among others, allegedly doling out the illegal courses
As many as 600 doctors across the state, who chose to enhance their academic pedigree with distance learning courses offered by hospitals of repute, have been sent derecognition notices by the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC). It appears that the courses, priced between Rs 20 and 50 lakh, are not recognised by the Medical Council of India (MCI). The national body has learnt that the additional courses are not scrutinised by any government- run medical college and hospitals are running them as diploma courses, in association with universities in Russia, China, US, etc.
Sources at MMC have let on that prominent names that feature on the list are Pune's Ruby Hall Clinic and Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Apollo Hospital. A first group of 25 to 30 doctors were summoned by the council earlier this week, of which a few were from the city.
The second group of doctors to face the committee soon will be from Pune. They will be asked to give up their additional degrees and only stick to MBBS.
"These courses are not recognised by MCI, and we have now suggested that the state Medical Education and Research Department form a committee to monitor and take action against hospitals that are offering these courses and duping doctors of lakhs of rupees. This is not legal," said Dr Kishor Taori, president, MMC. In their rush to garner prized certificates, doctors end up being gullible, unaware of the fact that these courses are in fact illegal. "Hospitals are duping them; so it's not only doctors who are at fault but also the hospitals, against whom action must be taken," added Taori.
When Mirror brought this to the notice of Ruby Hall Clinic's dean Dr D N Bhalerao, who runs courses for MBBS doctors, he said, "We are not aware of any such course being run here." Dr Mihir Dalal, manager, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, too, maintained the same line of thought. However, sources within Ruby Hall confirmed the exorbitant fees that doctors pay for such courses as specialisation in diabetes, emergency and trauma care. The courses are carried out by representatives in USA who provide theoretical knowledge. "The fees run into lakhs and only students, who have secured their MBBS degrees, are entertained. The courses work as an upgrade on their knowledge and specialities," said a source.
Dr Shivkumar Utture, executive member, MMC, said, "This is a first of its kind move to improve the medical system in the state. We are acting on the suggestions made by MCI and have found many young doctors, who have paid huge sums for these long-distance learning courses. They were nothing but scapegoats as the young doctors taking these courses are not aware that these degrees hold no sway in the market." He emphasised that the time spent pursuing these degrees could have been better utilised in working towards a legitimate degree.
Academics chairman at MCI, Dr Ved Prakash Mishra, said not only was it the duty of MMC to keep a hawk's eye out for such malpractices, but also force the state government to issue warnings and notices to such hospitals in the states that are running such degrees. "Doctors, who have zero practical knowledge, are a threat to patients' lives, and hence this crackdown," said Taori.
Dr Pravin Shingare, state director for medical education and research (DMER), however, had a contrary view, drawing attention on why these degrees that work as an embellishment were made to flourish at all. "Up until now, we did not grudge doctors, who practise using these 'additional degrees', but if the MCI and MMC have announced that such courses not be recognised by them, then we will surely ask them not to use these degrees. Hospitals, too, should take the blame. This requires a thorough discussion soon," said Shingare.
By Nozia Sayyed