MAHARASHTRA MEDICAL COUNCIL, MUMBAI
INFORMATION ABOUT THE NOTABLE WORK DONE BY
THE COUNCIL DURING LOCKDOWN PERIOD
PUBLICATION OF GUIDELINES ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT OF
INDIA
World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported about outbreaks of Novel Corona
virus. Accordingly, various measures have been taken by Government of India, and
Government has issued guideline on clinical management in suspect/confirmed novel
Corona virus cases. These guidelines were communicated to all the RMP vide circular
Dt- 04/03/2020.
In guidelines focus is given on strengthening of clinical management of these patient
and provide up to date guidance. These guidelines provide clinician with updated
interim guidance on timely effective and safe supportive management of patient with
Covid-19 and SARI.
INFORMATION REGARDING CORONA VIRUS INFECTION IN
CME PROGRAMS.
Council has requested to All organisations holding Maharashtra Medical Council CPD
Accreditation vide letter Dt- 09/03/2020, to hold a session on Corona Virus infection
describing the mode of infection, spread of infection, precautionary measures to be
taken and details regarding quarantine, isolation & management modalities of positive
cases. The Presentation should be as per norms issued by Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare, Government of Indian and World Health Organisation (WHO)
UPDATED RMPS WITH LATEST INFOMRATION ABOUT COVID-19
To provide update on newly discovered Corona virus, the Government of India and
World health organization issues updated circulars in respect of definition of Covid-
19, its treatment etc. The said Circulars were timely published on Councils website for
RMP to update their knowledge while treating patients.
REGARDING POSTPONEMENT AND CANCELLATION OF CPD
PROGRAMS
As per the directions given by the State Government, not to hold
conferences/workshops/meetings, to reduce mass gatherings, to avoid the spread of
COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus disease. In view of said directives Council informed all
organisations vide letter Dt- 13/03/2020 that, they shall either postpone or cancel
conferences and also decided to withdraw CPD points which were given earlier to the
Organisations/Associations/Institutions for CPD purpose who had scheduled their CPD
program before dt-14/03/2020 and also issued a letter on 14/03/2020.
TO INITIATE ACTION AGAINST RMPS WHO PROVIDES MISLEADING
INFORMATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Council has observed that, few RMP's are providing misleading information through
interviews on media, suggestions on news channels and social media such as
WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter etc. Such kind of misleading information forwarded
through media/social media platform results into confusion leading to negative
impact on Society. If Council finds any RMP spreading/forwarding misleading
information, then said act shall be considered as misconduct and action shall be
initiated against them under Section 22 of Maharashtra Medical Council Act, 1965.
TO ALLOW RMPS TO GIVE TELEPHONIC CONSULTATIONS
AND SEND PRESCRIPTIONS ONLINE.
In view of the current situation regarding Covid-19 disease and its impending
community transmission in India and the advisory by MOHWF (Govt. of India) &
ICMR to avoid crowding in OPD's, maintain social distance and advise to elderly not
to venture out from their residence, MMC has allowed RMPs to give telephonic
consultations and send prescriptions online by passing resolution.
GRANTED RENEWAL OF REGISRTATION TO RMPS
Due to spread of Coronavirus, 3,276 RMPs which were due for Renewal of their
Registration are unable to visit office due to lockdown. In view of such conditions and
limitations Government has imposed, the Council verified Renewal applications online
and granted Renewal of Registration to 2,881 RMP during lockdown period and helped
Government in controlling spread of virus.
PROTECTION OF ACTION TAKEN IN GOOD FAITH
During the course of COVID-19 Pandemic Health Workers & Hospitals are working
under tremendous pressure and are compelled to make difficult choices regarding
management of these COVID -19 patients. Thus they are exposed to unfair media /
legal scrutiny, it is therefore essential that the health care system is insulated from
unfair media scrutiny & litigation during this period. Since these health care workers
are front line warriors in this COVID-19 war they also require protection at par with
their Counterpart-Army personals who protect India's border. Hence Council passed
Resolution as :- “Protection of action taken in good faith - No suit, prosecution or other
legal proceedings shall lie against any RMP in respect of anything, which is in good
faith done or intended to be done during management of COVID - 19 patients.”
AWARDED CPD CREDIT HOURS TO THE RMPS WHO ARE ACTIVELY
PARTICIPATING IN THE CONTAINMENT AND TREATMENT OF COVID 19
PATIENTS.
During the course of COVID-19 Pandemic Registered Medical Practitioners
(RMPs) who have voluntarily come forward to help the Government and are
bravely working for the containment and treatment of COVID-19 patients along
with Government machinery. While doing these duties the RMPs are going
beyond their call of duty and working without fear of contracting disease which
could be harmful to them and their family. Maharashtra Medical Council is
granting CPD credit points for those RMPs who go beyond their duty and help out
by volunteering in Government Hospital/Institutions catering to COVID-19 patients,
in private hospitals dedicated towards treatment of COVID 19 patients, in Fever
Clinics/Community Clinics/ Rakshak Clinics/Mobile Clinics etc.
GRANTED PROVISIONAL REGISRTATION TO STUDENTS
Nearly 5615 students have been passed MBBS from Maharashtra University of
Health Sciences, Nashik from November – 2019 onwards. These students have
applied for Provisional Registration on Council’s website without obtaining Mark list
(passing certificate) from University due to lockdown. Therefore, Council has granted
Provisional Registration to 5235 students on the basis of passing list and online Mark
list provided by the MUHS and helped Government in controlling spread of virus.
GRANTED PERMANENT REGISRTATION TO RMPS
About 4396 students who has passed MBBS and has completed one year internship
has applied for Permanent Registration on Councils’ website without obtaining
requisite certificates from University due to limitations imposed by Government and
Internship completion certificate. Therefore, Council has granted Permanent
Registration to 3903 students on the basis of Internship Completion Certificate provided
by Medical Colleges and helped Government in controlling spread of virus.
GRANTED ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION TO RMPS
Nearly 1371 students have passed Degree/Diploma (Post-graduation) from
Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nashik and from other Recognized
Universities from March-2020 to May-2020. These students have applied for
Additional Qualification Registration on Council’s website without obtaining Passing
certificate of Diploma/Degree from University due to lockdown. Therefore, Council has
granted Additional Qualification Registration to 1039 RMPs, subject to physical
verification of passing certificate and helped Government in controlling spread of virus.
PROVIDED LIST OF RMPS DISTRICT WISE, SPECIALTY WISE FOR
GOVERNMENT FOR CONTAINMENT OF COVID-19
Council has provided District Wise, Specialty Wise list of 1,47,432 RMPs to Government
of Maharashtra to provide their services in treating Corona Positive patients in the state
of Maharashtra.
UTILIZATION OF EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE OF REGISTERED MEDICAL
PRACTITIONERS FOR COVID-19 PATIENTS IN MUMBAI, SUBURBAN AND THANE
DISTRICT
The State and Central Government is taking every precaution to fight against this deadly
viral infection. In Mumbai city, the outbreak of COVID-19 is spreading very fast as
compared to other parts of the State. Hence the State Government has taken rigorous
steps towards Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19 patient. Government has
sought expert services of the RMP in Mumbai, Suburban area of Mumbai and thane
district for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 patient at least for 15 days.
Therefore, Council conveyed 24,201 RMPs of Mumbai and Suburban region under intimation
to the Government about rendering their services for the containment of COVID-19. It was
also informed to the RMPs that non-attendance of the duty will be considered as breach of
MCI Code of Ethics that we administered at the time of obtaining degree and action will
be initiated according to the provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act,1897
GRANTED REGISTRATION TO MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS FROM OTHER
STATE MEDICAL COUNCIL FOR TACKLING COVID PATIENT IN
MAHARASHTRA
In view of request received from Director, Directorate Medical Education and
Research, Mumbai regarding, inviting other state doctors to Mumbai to help in
tackling Covid-19 patients. The Council has passed a resolution as under :-
"Council has decided to give them registration on the basis of they being registered with
Kerala Medical Council and would be grating registration for limited period without charging
any registration fee."
These doctors are registered with Other State Medical Councils but legally they are
required to be registered with MMC, so that they can safely manage Covid-19 patient
admitted in the Government hospitals in Maharashtra. Hence, Council has granted
them registration with MMC for the period that they would be working in
Mumbai/Maharashtra during Covid-19 pandemic and for containment of spread of
Covid-19.
DEDICATION AND DETERMINATION OF COUNCIL AND THEIR STAFF
During the lockdown period, maximum number of offices were closed or working
under less number of employees. However, Council after consultation with Hon’ble
President has provided officers/staffs in full strength and these officers/staffs without
any Medical Insurances worked in the offices with dedication and determination and
provided registrations to the students and RMPs and subsequently provided helping
hand to Government in containment of Covid-19.
During the lockdown period Council was working on all working days, as per directives
of the Government of Maharashtra.
