New NMC Regulations Set Stringent Standards for Doctors, No Gifts or Third-Party Ties
Hyderabad: Medical practitioners can refuse treatment in case of abusive and violent patients or relatives, according to new guidelines issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC). The step is aimed at checking instances of violence against doctors. Since the Hippocratic Oath binds doctors to ethical standards and denial of treatment could run contrary to it, the commission said that doctors must ensure that the patient is not abandoned.
“In case of abusive, unruly and violent patients or relatives, the registered medical practitioner can document and report the behaviour and refuse to treat the patient. Such patients should be referred for further treatment elsewhere,” the regulations said.
The regulations, relating to ‘Professional conduct of registered medical practitioners”, issued on August 2, bar doctors from endorsing any drug brands, medicine and equipment.
This would restrict doctors and their families from receiving gifts, travel facilities, hospitality, cash or access to recreation from pharma companies or their representatives, commercial healthcare establishments and medical device firms under any pretext.
They should not be involved in any third-party educational activity like CPDs, seminars, workshops, symposia, conferences, which involves direct or indirect sponsorships from pharmaceutical companies or the allied health sector.
According to Dr P. Ratna Babu, assistant professor, “in recent times we have seen several instances where doctors were manhandled and abused by family members of patients. A doctor when performing his duty goes through various pressures. His main aim is to breathe life into the patient and bring the person out of danger. The new guidelines will give immunity to all doctors.”
Dr Pallam Praveen, professor of surgery, Osmania, said, “We have to abide by the rules of NMC. However, a doctor’s main concern is to treat the patent. Irrespective of the situation, I feel, ethically speaking, it is not correct for doctors to refuse treating patients.”
According to Dr D. Nandraj, “Inter-dependence involves bribes in the form of perks. In recent times we have noticed there has been a drastic decline in such activities especially foreign trips and overseas conferences. The medical fraternity welcomes the new guidelines as this will go a long way in putting an end to unethical medical practices.”
