Nagaland Medical Council underscores need to implement NHCE Act

DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Medical Council (NMC) has underscored the importance of implementation of the Nagaland Health Care Establishment (NHCE) Act, 1997, an act to regulate the setting up of private hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and other such centres run by voluntary organisations catering to diagnostic, investigative, operative and other health care services.

In a press release, the NMC said that it stands for rendering service to the society with full respect for the dignity of the medical profession and that of every citizen. The council also promotes continued medical education (CME), ethical and safe practice of allopathic medical practitioners.

It also informed that the council maintains a registry and issues certificates to all allopathic (MBBS) doctors, after verifying all relevant documents, as per guidelines laid by the Medical Council of India (MCI).

To promote and safeguard ethical and safe practice, the NMC has brought to notice the following points:

• All MBBS doctors intending to work and practice in Nagaland, either in government or private sector, must be registered with the council as mandated in the ‘Nagaland Medial Council Act 2014’, chapter III, section 16(6). FMGs (Foreign Medical Graduates) are also given registration only after clearing NMC/MCI exam for FMGs.

• All health centres (hospitals, nursing homes, clinics) in Nagaland must be registered with the Department of Health and Family Welfare under the NHCE Act, 1997 to operate legally. It will be illegal to treat patients at centres registered only with a pharmacy license or any other trade license.

• All health centres including dental clinics, AYUSH clinics and clinical laboratories comes under the NHCE Act, 1997, and pharmacy licensing come under the drug control which is under the Department of Health and Family Welfare.

• It is wrong and unethical for any in-service doctor in government service, after availing (and opting) for NPA (non practising allowance) to indulge in private practice, because it is definitely a violation of government service rules. Private practice by government doctors after availing NPA has been a long standing issue. The investigation report submitted by the Vigilance department and subsequent directives issued by the Medical department remains to produce any affirmative action.

The council reminded that clause 8.1.C of the NHCE Act, 1997, clearly states, “That no doctor, nurse or any paramedic or any other employee in the employment of the state government shall be employed in such health care establishment.”

“This clearly implies that no government doctors can own clinic or work in private hospitals and allows apparently only for consultation in a home based office room,” it stated.

The council requested the various associations to educate their members and disseminate correct information so that few erring members do not tarnish the image of the entire fraternity.

The council also expressed concern over instances where allopathic doctors from outside the state come to practice without proper verification and registration (temporary registration) for health camps or as visiting consultants, or  institutions engaging FMGs before they clear the MCI/NMC mandated exam, pharmacies operating without qualified pharmacist or engaging government doctors in their premises and mushrooming of unregistered health centres promoting quackery under the guise of alternative medicines, etc.

“Therefore, it is very important and relevant to strengthen the NHCE authority and activate its ‘District Inspection Team’- the district inspection team which includes members from the district administration and the district health authority, to strictly monitor and implement the NHCE Act, 1997, on yearly time bound manner.

“Further for any other complaints pertaining to alleged professional misconduct, the matter may be addressed to appropriate authority,” the NMC informed.

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