*IMA calls for issuing “Good Standing Certificate” to doctors*

*Writes to MCI in light of a recent incident to carry out probe against a doctor*

*New Delhi, May 21, 2017:* In light of a recent incident, the IMA has written to the MCI expressing its viewpoint about NRI doctors barred abroad working in India. As per the US court, the doctor has been ordered “not to practice medicine in any form within the United States or any other country”.

As per a recent court directive, based on news reports that an Indian-origin doctor, who has been barred from practicing by a US court, is now treating patients in Delhi and Gurgaon, the Member Secretary of Delhi State Legal Services Authority, Sanjeev Jain, was asked to verify the doctor’s name and address, carry out an immediate probe, and file a report within four days. It also issued notice to the MCI to file a report on the mechanism, statutory regime as well as rules and regulations in place to scrutinize and check such practices and made the Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare a party.

Speaking collectively on behalf of IMA, *Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary
General IMA in a joint statement, *said, “IMA is for a defined policy in such cases. We believe that the MCI needs to issue a ‘Good Standing Certificate’ to all graduates and post graduates who wish to register with registering authorities in other countries. This will serve as an indication of a good track record and also be a proof of the fact that the concerned person has committed no ethical breach and/or violation. A similar condition should also be imposed for Indian doctors practicing in other countries and wanting to come back and practice in India after getting registered in another country. This will ensure transparency and hence, lesser mishaps of the nature.”

At Delhi High Court, a bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice V K Rao, took a suo moto note to examine the issue on whether Indian-origin doctors, barred from practicing by a foreign country can practice in India. Adding further, *Dr Aggarwal*, said, “It is just a way to ensure quality of doctors is maintained. If we are asked for a certificate when we go to practice abroad then why can’t we ask for it from those who want to practice in India. We had spoken to MCI officials about this and they asked us to write to them.”