Doctors hail MMC’s suspension of two Mumbai doctors offering money-back schemes

The three-month suspension of two city doctors for offering money-back schemes to their patients had shocked the doctors' association, who had said that this was for the first time that the Maharshtra Medical Council (MMC) had taken such a harsh decision. The local and national gynaecology bodies, though had decided to stand by the council's decision, saying patients were not a commodity and could not be enticed with money-back schemes.

"As per medical practice ethics, no one can guarantee success of treatment. The money-back scheme is a temptation that the doctor is offering to a patient and it is very unethical," said Dr Arun Nayak, president, Mumbai Obstetric and Gynaecological Society (MOGS), the umbrella body of gynaecologists in Mumbai, www.dnaindia.in reported.

However, the doctors were working in the field of infertility treatment and the suspension by the MMC now meant that the duo would not be able to practise medicine for the next three months. The council had taken the action against the doctors under the Indian Medical Council (Professional conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002. The MMC said the two doctors had committed the same offence a second time.

According to Nayak, MOGS did not support any of its member following unscrupulous practices. "In fact, we encourage our members to let us know if any other members are involved in unscrupulous activities or are following unethical medical practices," he said, adding that the suspension of the doctors would be taken up in their upcoming managing committee meeting on Tuesday.

The couple who practice in Mumbai, are among a number of infertility doctors pulled up by the MMC, the medical watchdog body.

"Such business deals are improper and unethical. They amount to soliciting a patient," said MMC president Dr Kishor Taori said, The Times of India reported.