Rift widens between medical fraternity and State government over Medical Council autonomy 

Telangana doctors oppose Government Order 229, which adds bureaucrats to the State Medical Council. Medical associations fear it undermines self-regulation, hampers anti-quackery inspections, and could compromise healthcare quality and patient safety, intensifying protests across the State

Hyderabad: The rift between the State government and medical fraternity in Telangana has widened following the release of Government Order 229, as senior doctors across the State continue to bristle at the prospect of the Telangana State Medical Council (TGMC) being ‘taken over’ by bureaucrats.

The government order (Go Ms No 229) proposes the nomination of four additional ex-officio members to the TGMC, in addition to the existing four ex-officio members.

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The move by the State government has not gone down well, as health care workers continue to seethe. They have been opposing the move through a series of peaceful protests for the past several weeks across the State.

“The medical fraternity in the entire country has always been proud of its ability to self-regulate. However, this GO is a direct attack on self-regulation. How can the doctors be policed by IAS officers and bureaucrats who don’t understand clinical realities and medical ethics,” senior TGMC members said.

Doctors representing various associations point out that the GO is a clear step by the State government to crack down on anti-quackery inspections that have been carried out by the Medical Council in the last one-year.

In the last 18-months or so, the TGMC has filed 500 FIRs against quacks in Hyderabad and districts. However, in the last few months, the inspecting teams of the Medical Council, during the course of conducting raids, have faced considerable hostility.

“Quacks have become emboldened, often involving local political representatives to stall inspections taken up by the medical council. In the end, the State government and political leadership must realise that quackery is not good for public health,” senior office-bearers of TGMC said, on condition of anonymity, said.

On its part, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Telangana has maintained that if the Medical Council becomes a rubber stamp for the State government, then there will be severe impact on the quality of health care in hospitals, directly affecting patient safety.

“In the coming days, we will again meet senior health officials and the Health Minister to take-up these outstanding issues. We are hoping that the State government will listen positively to our arguments,” the Council members said.