MMC condones doctors violating ethics?
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 04 2018: An RTI activist has alleged that the Manipur Medical Council (MMC) has been condoning doctors who are earning big money by violating all professional ethics.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club today, RTI activist Ayekpam Keshorjit also claimed that the District Consumers Dispute Redressal Forum has been maintaining stoic silence even as a complaint was lodged around two years ago in connection with an Assistant Professor of JNIMS ENT Department who also runs a private clinic at his own residence against professional ethics.

He said that on March 30, 2014, his son Chinglemba was admitted at Leo clinic, Heirangoithong Bazar which is run by the particular Assistant Professor (at his own residence), as he was experiencing difficulties in speaking properly.

As per the doctor's instruction, two tests were conducted the next day for a total costs of Rs 2500 .

After conducting the necessary tests, the doctor gave his observation saying that Chinglemba had suffered some nerve damages in his ears, he added.

Ayekpam Keshorjit said that the doctor further recommended putting hearing adds on both his son's ears for life.

He narrated that his wife mortgaged her ornaments to buy the said hearing aids costing around Rs 35,000 but although the doctor recommended the hearing aid to be put on for at least a week to observe the condition, the hearing aids had to be removed as his son refused to wear them.

However, Keshorjit claimed that they began to get suspicious as their son could hear and understand everything they said but eventually decided to keep mum as the doctor had recommended the aid after carrying out proper tests.

Then in July 2015, Chinglemba was admitted to RIMS OPD and attended by Head of ENT Department Dr Priyosakhi.

Under the doctor's advice, some tests were conducted but the test report mentioned that the both the child's ears were normal and RIMS audiologist also informed the parents that they were lucky to have abandoned the hearing aid as it could have damaged the ear drums of the child if it had been put on for any longer.

Keshorjit conveyed that he lodged a complaint at District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum against the doctor so as to get proper compensation for the wrong diagnosis.

However, the authority has been sleeping over the complaint lodged almost two years ago, he added.

He further claimed that he also lodged a complaint to Manipur Medical Council in December 14, 2016 to take up necessary actions against the ENT doctor for violating professional ethics.

At that time, Manipur Medical Council' Registrar Dr Lokendro recommended the complaint to be referred to Medical Council of India (MCI) as the particular doctor is registered under the body.

He stated that on April 27, last year, he filed an RTI application to the PIO/ Deputy Secretary of MCI regarding the steps taken up against the ENT doctor but the MCI replied back that the case was meant to be investigated by Manipur Medical Council and the MCI can be contacted only when the applicant is not pleased with the actions taken up by Manipur Medical Council.

Keshorjit claimed that based on the MCI's reply, he filed an RTI to Manipur Medical Council.

On July 24, last year, the Council responded that as a similar case was pending at District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum, taking up another case would amount to sub-judice due to which he once again submitted a complaint, along with the relevant High Court and Supreme judgement copies, on December 20, showing that there are no such conditions/ situations, he added.

Keshorjit alleged that Manipur Medical Council has been condoning unprofessional doctors by failing to take up necessary actions in time.

He also said that his son, Chinglemba is currently a student of Regular English High School.

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