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Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala — The Kerala State Medical Council (Council of Modern Medicine) has imposed strict disciplinary action on a Thiruvananthapuram-based doctor for misrepresenting his medical qualifications and failing to comply with the council’s directives. The doctor has been fined ₹1 lakh and has been barred from the State Medical Register for three months, effectively suspending him from practicing during this period.
Background and Initial Complaint
In 2022, the Council received a complaint that the doctor, already a registered medical practitioner, was displaying unrecognized and unregistered additional qualifications in his clinical practice. Despite prior warnings and repeated directives, the doctor continued this practice.
During a hearing with the Ethics Committee in June 2022, the doctor explained that he had attempted the DNB (Medicine) examination but the result was not declared. He further claimed to have obtained an MD in Medicine (2016) and a PhD in Medicine (2019) from institutions in Nicaragua, Central America. He insisted that he had applied for an equivalency certificate from the National Medical Commission (NMC) and initiated the registration process with them.
Council’s Findings
The Council determined that the doctor’s claims regarding the equivalency certificate were misleading, as the NMC does not issue such certificates. The degrees listed by the doctor were not recognized by the NMC, and he was found to have practiced for three years displaying these qualifications.
A penalty of ₹50,000 was initially imposed, and the doctor was instructed to remove the unregistered qualifications from all professional displays and provide proof of compliance. While he paid the fine, he failed to comply with the other directives.
Continued Non-Compliance and Further Action
In February 2024, a surprise inspection at the Jubilee Memorial Hospital revealed the doctor was still listing unrecognized qualifications—MD (Medicine), PG in Diabetology, and FCCM (Critical Care in FC). Upon a show-cause notice, the doctor blamed hospital administration for the signage but admitted using the same qualifications at other locations, claiming misunderstanding of council instructions.
The council found this explanation unsatisfactory and determined that the doctor had repeatedly ignored professional and ethical obligations, leading to the current suspension and increased penalty.
Right to Appeal
The doctor retains the right to appeal the decision before the Ethics and Medical Registration Board of the National Medical Commission under Section 30(3) of the NMC Act, 2019, and Clause 8.8 of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002.
Disclaimer
This article is based on information sourced from Medical Dialogues and associated reports. The details presented reflect the findings and viewpoints of regulatory authorities at the time of reporting. Any party mentioned retains their legal right to appeal or clarify their stance as per applicable legal and professional guidelines. Readers are advised to consult official sources and statements for further updates or clarifications on this matter.
