jiafm, 2010-32(2) april-june. - forensic medicine

ISSN 0971-0973 J Indian Acad Forensic Med, 32(2)EditorialUnion Govt., Court, CBI and Members of the MCI/IMA/Medicalfraternity on the Dock!Current affairs of medical education and health care in India involves important issue of good governanceby the Modern State, discharge of statutory duties by the „public servant‟ and protection of fundamental rights by theCourt, constitutional mandate of division of jurisdiction between Judiciary, Executive and Legislature, three wingsin a democratic setup. Issue of public faith and confidence in a welfare state like India becomes more importantwhen it involves most cherished fundamental right of every citizen i.e. Right to life which includes Right toadequate health care enshrined in the Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.In the cacophony of the IPL saga, a more serious scam has just surfaced, more serious, because, it involveshealth and lives of more than 1.3 billion Indians. In terms of money it does not match up to the IPL rip off, but itseffects, fallout and ramifications are much wider and more somber. The Medical Council of India (MCI) chief andtwo of his cohorts were arrested today by CBI on charges of corruption. This is sure to bring down the prestige ofMCI by quite a few notches, as will it bring shame and self-disgust to every ethical practitioner of medicine.Issue of good leadership of IMA:It is an issue of participatory democracy, medical law and ethics vital for maintaining nobility of themedical profession. Issue raises serious challenges before the leadership of India‟s largest body of AllopathicMedical Professionals i.e. Indian Medical Association (IMA). It is also an issue of good leadership among the wholeMedical Fraternity of India.Instead of opposing the move of Union Government to revamp the MCI and defending the actions ofcorrupt and rotten system of MCI prevailing and putting the nobility as stake, leadership of IMA should participatein a constructive way. It is shocking that nowhere IMA office bearers both local and national made any officialstatement against prevailing corrupt practices.If we blame illiterates and rural population for helm of current affairs of the India on the issue ofcorruption, it may sound true but what about the so called intellectual urban population of medical fraternity nottaking lead to improve the situation of their noble profession. It raises serious doubts about the whole educationsystem of India particularly higher education (professional medical education).Reasons for Attraction to Medical Profession:The potential for earnings through the medical profession and the prestige which goes with the professionattracts large number of youngsters towards the profession all over the India. There is a scramble for seats inmedical colleges. Some of the medical colleges had been charging fabulous amounts running into lacs of rupees byway of capitation fee for allotting seats to students. This led to a spurt in the number of medical colleges. Medicalcolleges are seen as money spinning business propositions. This in turn has increased the burden of the MCI. Itsfunctions like granting permission to run medical college, recognition, withdrawal of recognition and the power toregulate the number of seats in medical colleges have put the MCI in a very powerful position.This makes it almost imperative that the MCI should have as its members, persons of integrity and highprofessional standards with values of honesty and probity.Issue of participatory democracy:Unfortunately institutions meant to improve professional standards are passed into hands of unscrupulouspersons day by day. A stage has come when on account of politicking and manipulative tactics of such persons likeKetan Desai in institutions meant to maintain professional standards, no good or eminent person with stature wantsto serve such institutions. This results in institutions being controlled by undeserving persons.Role, Responsibility and powers of MCI:The role of MCI has assumed great importance in course of time. The MCI is charged with theresponsibility of maintaining high levels of medical education and professional standards by the medicalpractitioners. The MCI not only lays down the academic standards for various medical courses including postgraduate and diploma courses but also ensures that proper infrastructure is available in the medical colleges forimparting education and training. The MCI enjoys vast powers for its control over medical colleges; it gets thecolleges inspected through its own teams of inspectors. The inspection reports can lead to refusal of permission tostart medical colleges and withdrawal of recognition to already recognised medical colleges. The MCI regulatesadmissions to medical colleges in as much as if colleges are to increase the number of seats, its approval is required.98