The Madhya Pradesh Medical Council has proposed a system requiring doctors to renew their registration every five years.

The Madhya Pradesh Medical Council has proposed a system requiring doctors to renew their registration every five years.

This initiative by the Madhya Pradesh Medical Council seeks to maintain an updated medical registry by tracking the number of practicing doctors in the state, those who have moved abroad, and those who have passed away. Additionally, it aims to ensure compliance with current medical standards, thereby enhancing the quality and accountability of medical professionals.

Outdated Records: Established under the Madhya Pradesh Medical Council Act, of 1987, the MPMC has registered approximately 63,423 doctors. However, these records have become obsolete due to the absence of regular verification, with about 70% of registered doctors’ addresses remaining unverified.

Previous Verification Efforts: Two years ago, a verification drive yielded responses from only 24,000 out of 63,000 registered doctors, highlighting the need for a more structured renewal process.

Mandatory Renewal: The MPMC is drafting a proposal to enforce a five-year renewal of medical registrations. Once finalized, this proposal will be submitted for cabinet approval.

Comparative Practices in Other States:

·       Maharashtra: The Maharashtra Medical Council requires doctors to renew their registration every five years and complete 30 hours of Continuing Medical Education (CME).

·       Kerala: Doctors are required to renew their registrations annually, emphasizing CME compliance.

·       Delhi: The Delhi Medical Council mandates renewal every five years, necessitating updated documents and CME certificates.

Implications for Madhya Pradesh:

·       Doctor-Patient Ratio: As of 2022, Madhya Pradesh had approximately 22,000 practicing doctors, resulting in a doctor-to-population ratio of 1:3,400, significantly below the WHO recommended ratio of 1:1,000.

·       Healthcare Infrastructure: The state comprises 19 government medical colleges, 51 district hospitals, 66 civil hospitals, 335 community health centers, 1,170 primary health centers, 9,192 health sub-centers, and 49,864 village health centers.

·       Implementing the five-year renewal system is anticipated to provide a more accurate database of medical professionals, thereby aiding in better healthcare planning and resource allocation within the state.