The latest data collected by the Health Ministry showed that there was increase in the number of malpractices reported to the MCI after it enforced revised code of conduct for the doctors early last year. During the year of 2010, it received as many as 904 such cases of violation of code of ethics and awarded punishment in 18 cases, which is still lower than expectations.

This was an improvement compared to 684 cases of violations and six instances of punishment to the doctors during the year of 2009. In 2008, the statutory body received 499 complaints against doctors and punishment was awarded in 13 cases, according to the information.

In January last year, the MCI had notified revised Indian Medical Council (Professional conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, which are statutory and binding and were to be followed by all medical professionals/ doctors in the country. These regulations empowered the MCI and respective State Medical Councils to award punishment against any act in violation of Code of Ethics.

“The imposition of punishment under the Indian Medical Council is time consuming process. Role of the Central Government under these regulations is limited to that of an Appellate Authority,” an official of the health ministry said, commenting on the comparatively low proportion of punishments given to the doctors.

According to the amendment, the first in seven years, the code of conduct prohibited medical practitioners from accepting gifts, travel facilities, hospitality and monetary grants from the healthcare industry either in their name or in the names of their family members. The code also restrained the doctors and their family members from accepting rail or air travel facilities, cruise tickets and paid vacations from the industry.