Practice of Medicine: HC issues notice to Centre, MCI

Updated on: Wednesday, November 18, 2009

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court today issued notice to the Centre and the Medical Council of India (MCI) seeking their response to a petition seeking to allow non-MBBS persons to practise medicine.
A bench comprising Chief justice A P Shah and justice S Muralidhar directed the health secretary and president of MCI to file their response on a PIL seeking to decriminalise practice of medicine by non-MBBS persons.

The court issued the notice on a petition filed by a doctor Meenakshi Gautam seeking it to direct the government to introduce a short term course for training health care workers so that shortage of doctors in rural areas could be removed.
The petitioner pleaded that Indian Medical Council Act, which provides for one year imprisonment for practising medicine by non-MBBS persons, should be amended.

'The effect of the section is that only a person with MBBS qualification can practice medicine and prescribe a scheduled drug. This section has obstructed the development of mid-level health practitioners who can deliver family health care.

This has led to situation where large majority of the population are unable to get treatment," advocate Prashant Bhushan appearing for the petitioner contended.
He also pleaded the government should be directed to provide three years course to health workers so that they could provide proper medical services in the rural areas.

The court, after hearing his contentions, said it is an important issue and sought to know the stand of government and MCI on it.

Practice of Medicine: HC issues notice to Centre, MCI

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