Telangana Govt doctors oppose NMC decision to implement facial recognition attendance system

The Government doctors from Telangana State have written a letter to Chairman, NMC, urging him to reconsider or exempt doctors from mandatory use of facial Aadhar-Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS).

Hyderabad: The Government doctors from Telangana State, especially clinical specialists involved in teaching medicine to MBBS medical students, are opposing the decision of National Medical Commission (NMC) to implement facial-based attendance recording system in all medical colleges.

Citing violation of privacy, data security and an insult to professional autonomy among many other reasons, the Government doctors from Telangana State have written a letter to Chairman, NMC, urging him to reconsider or exempt doctors from mandatory use of facial Aadhar-Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS).

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On April 16, the NMC in a circular directed all the private and government medical colleges in the country to replace the existing fingerprint-based AEBAS system, being implemented for the faculty and all other admin staff in teaching hospitals, with facial-based system from May 1, 2025.

The members of Telangana State Government Doctors Association (TSGDA), however is opposing this decision. “For us, facial AEBAS raises serious concerns about data protection and privacy. Frequent glitches in internet connectivity, server downtimes and inaccuracies in facial recognition have already caused hardships and unwarranted penalties for doctors. Government doctors work long hours, including emergency services, night duties and fieldwork. The rigid system and does not account for the professional dignity,” the TSGDA members said.

The NMC move will impact mental health and morale of care givers. “The mandatory and coercive nature of this system affects morale, creates an atmosphere of mistrust among medical professionals who are already overburdened with work,” they said.

There already exists robust administrative mechanism to monitor attendance and performance and imposing an additional and invasive layer of redundant and counterproductive. Exempt doctors from mandatory Face AEBAS and facilitate a consultative process with stake holders, including medical associations, before implementing such sweeping changes,” TSGDA said.