CHENNAI: Under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, two doctors have temporarily been barred from practice by the Tamil Nadu Medical Council (TNMC) after they were found guilty of violating medical ethics.
The TNMC’s tripartite meeting - the general business meeting, executive committee meeting and the disciplinary committee meeting - was held on Wednesday at the council office here.
The city based Dr Jose Chellan, who completed his MD in Russian, passed the screening test in the country. “The MD degree there is considered equivalent to MBBS degree here. But the doctor, who has also completed MS in Russia, which is not recognised by the Medical Council of India, was practicing, displaying the name board as MS (Ortho),” said a TNMC official.
The doctor, who has been practicing in Choolaimedu for over seven years landed in a soup after local activists complained about the doctor’s unethical practice to the council six months ago.
Dr Chellan was issued a show cause notice last month to appear in person before the committee and explain. The committee took action after it was not satisfied with the reply.
“Jose Chellan’s wife who is a physiotherapist was also prescribing medicines at the clinic,” said the official.
In another case, Dr Tamil Selvi, who completed MD in Tamil Nadu was found guilty of unethical practice, too.
“She prescribed unsafe slim health drink (anti-obesity drink) to a patient, and a complaint was filed by the patient’s relative. She has been practicing for eight years and has been barred from practice for six months,” added another official.
The victim also lodged a complaint with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) sometime back and the case was under trail.
“The Medical Council of India directed the TNMC to take action against the doctor. Based on that, the doctor has been barred from practicing for six months,” added the official.
The TNMC had earlier refused to take action against the doctor as the case was under trial in court. But, the Medical Council of India sent a letter to the State council stating that action could be taken after the victim went on appeal in court, said the official.
The TNMC in February 2016 barred three doctors from practice, two Chennai-based doctors and one in Cuddalore. The committee meets once every six months usually for such hearings.