Dermatologists urge Maha Medical Council to crackdown on unqualified practitioners performing aesthetic procedures
Doctor
Nagpur: Expressing concern over the increasing number of dermatological and aesthetic procedures being conducted by unqualified and unregistered individuals across Maharashtra, the doctors recently sought the Maharashtra Medical Council's intervention into the matter.
Recently, highlighting the issue, a delegation led by the Vidarbha Dermatological Society (VDS) president, Dr. Asra Khumushi met with Dr. Vinky Rughwani, the administrator of the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC), and submitted a memorandum.
The association highlighted instances where unauthorized laser, Botox, filler, and chemical treatments are being performed at non-medical establishments, ultimately putting the public health at risk.
The delegation from VDS included the president of the association, Dr. Asra Khumushi, Dr Vikrant Saoji, Dr Rizwan Haq, Dr Anshul Jain, Dr Ashiesh Pimple, Dr Dhanraj Patel, Dr Esha Agrawal, Dr Mohan Shendre, Dr Nitin Barde, Dr Riyaz Amir, Dr Saurabh Jaiswal, Dr Shubham Chopra, Dr Vinod Titarmare, Dr Vishal Chadda, Dr Shashank Bansod, Dr Sumit Jagyasi, and Dr Jerryl Banait.
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TOI has reported that during the meeting with Dr. Rughwani, the representatives from VDS emphasised the urgent need for stricter regulations and monitoring of such illegal practices. They also warned that such practices jeopardise patient safety and undermine the dignity of the medical profession. Accordingly, the association urged the MMC to take immediate action and strengthen public awareness regarding the issue.
Meanwhile, Dr. Rughwani has assured the delegation that MMC is aware of the seriousness of the issue and will act within the legal framework to curb these malpractices.
He also reiterated the commitment of the council to uphold the ethical medical standards and protect patients from unauthorized procedures. Besides, Dr. Rughwani also highlighted the 'Know Your Doctor (KYD)' initiative of MMC. This initiative enables citizens to verify the doctors' registration and credentials through the council's official website.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that back in 2022, the Delhi High Court had taken note of the medical malpractice at the salons offering hair transplantation and aesthetic surgery procedures. Emphasizing the need to frame a national-level medical protocol in this regard, the HC bench comprising Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta back then had directed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, as well as the Govt. of NCT of Delhi to ensure that such mushrooming Salons carrying hair transplantation procedures under unprofessional hands without requisite qualification and in absence of medical supervision, are checked.
The court had also highlighted the need for a standard protocol and observed that "In case any such medical protocols have not been established for guidance of medical practitioners, the same need to be framed at national level, in view of upcoming aesthetic surgeries and hair transplantation procedures."
