The Hindu Business Line : Code in disuse?

IN 2002, the Indian Medical Council (IMC), after years of deliberations, and with the approval of the Union Ministry of Health, notified a set of Regulations mandating the adherence to essential standards of professional conduct, etiquette and ethics by the medical fraternity.

On paper, the Code is quite comprehensive, except that it does not make it obligatory for doctors to explain the adverse side effects of the medicine they prescribe and the precautions to be taken to avoid them.

If only the doctors live up to the Code at least in spirit, the patients will have nothing to complain. In some parts, it soars to such lofty heights of selfless service as to take one's breath away.

Savour this occurring at the very start: "The prime object of the medical profession is to render service to humanity; reward or financial gain is a subordinate consideration. Whosoever chooses the profession, assumes the obligation to conduct himself in accordance with its ideals.

A physician should be an upright man, instructed in the art of healing. He shall keep himself pure in character and be diligent in caring for the sick; he should be modest, sober, patient, prompt in discharging his duty without anxiety; conducting himself with propriety in his profession and in all the actions of his life... ever ready to respond to the calls of the sick and the injured.... Physicians should merit the confidence of patients entrusted to their care, rendering to each a full measure of service and devotion."

It also enjoins doctors "to treat each and every person asking his services" and "respond to any request for his assistance in an emergency". It requires the doctors to make their visits at the hour indicated to the patient and observe "utmost punctuality in making themselves available for consultations".

Does the experience of patients anywhere in India conform to what they are entitled as per these noble prescriptions? How many doctors can honestly say that scrupulously observe the Code? Some doctors do not even know such a code exists.

Many refuse to make house calls even in the case of an emergency. In the interest of accountability and transparency, the IMC has a duty let the public know the steps it has taken to enforce the Code, and the number of doctors it has disqualified for misconduct since 2002.

B. S. Raghavan