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Mumbai: In a significant move to tackle the issue of unqualified medical practitioners, the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) has announced plans to introduce QR codes for all registered doctors in the state. The initiative, set to be implemented within two weeks, aims to empower patients by providing easy access to a doctor’s credentials, including their qualifications and MMC registration number.
Currently, MMC has over two lakh registered doctors, with 1.44 lakh having renewed their registrations. The QR codes will be issued exclusively to those who have completed their registration renewal, ensuring that only verified medical professionals are part of the initiative.
Ensuring Patient Safety
Dr. Vinky Rughwani, Administrator of MMC, highlighted the importance of this step in safeguarding patients from fraudulent medical practitioners. “Many people suffer from severe side effects or even fatalities due to treatment by unqualified doctors. We have received several complaints regarding this issue. Since MMC lacks the authority to directly penalize fake doctors, we decided to implement this system to help patients and their families identify legitimate medical professionals,” he stated.
Patients visiting a doctor’s clinic will be able to scan the displayed QR code using their mobile devices. This will allow them to verify the doctor’s name, qualifications, registration number, and registration validity. MMC officials have mandated that the QR codes must be prominently displayed at clinics for easy access.
About MMC
Established in 1912, MMC is a quasi-judicial body responsible for regulating medical education and ethics in Maharashtra. It also handles complaints related to medical negligence and ensures adherence to professional standards. The council currently has over 1.8 lakh registered doctors and processes approximately 9,000 new registrations every year.
MMC Elections Scheduled for April
In addition to the QR code initiative, MMC is also preparing for its long-awaited elections. After more than two years without a governing body, the council is set to elect a new committee, with voting scheduled to take place on April 3. The elections will be conducted through a secret ballot at district headquarters under the supervision of district collectors.
The 18-member MMC has been without an elected committee since August 7, 2022, when its previous term expired. Dr. Pallavi Saple, Dean of Sir JJ Group of Hospitals, was appointed as an administrator for a year following the dissolution. After her term ended on October 9, 2023, additional charge was handed over to Dr. Dilip Mhaisekar, Director of the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER). Later, Dr. Rughwani, former MMC Vice President, was appointed as administrator and has since expedited the council’s registration services.
An official from the medical education department confirmed that nine of the 18 committee members will be elected, with the deadline for filing nomination papers set for February 18.
Disclaimer:
The information presented in this article is based on official announcements and reports from MMC. Readers are advised to verify details with the concerned authorities for any updates or changes related to the QR code initiative or MMC elections.
