dna impact: Maharashtra Medical Council issues notice to Dr SN Tripathi

The Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) has issued a notice to Dr SN Tripathi, consultant MD pathologist and blood transfusion officer at Sion hospital, seeking explanation on a complaint against him saying he was attached to several pathology laboratories in Navi Mumbai, Panvel and Khalapur. He has to file his reply within seven days.

A March 12 dna report, 'Doctors hand in glove with lab technicians, fleece patients', had said many qualified pathologists were allowing laboratories to use their names and manual or electronic signatures in return for money, and that these doctors had never visited these laboratories.

Apart from the MMC notice, the Sion hospital administration has also launched an inquiry into the matter.

MMC is a statutory body that has the power to suspend the doctor's licence if he is found guilty. No allopathic doctor in the state can practice his/her trade without being registered with the MMC.

"Last week we received a complaint from the Maharashtra Association of Practising Pathologists and Microbiologists (MAPPM) saying Dr Tripathi was attached to different laboratories but someone else signs on his behalf. So we are seeking an explanation from him on this matter. We have issued him a notice and he is expected to reply within seven days. If the doctor fails to file a reply, then we can initiate action against him as per section 22 of MMC 1965," said Dr Shivkumar Utture, executive member, MMC.

"After we found Dr Tripathi was attached to several laboratories and other people were signing reports on his behalf, we filed a complaint with the MMC last week. Many qualified pathologists allow laboratories to use their names and manual or electronic signatures for money. They never visit these laboratories." said Dr Rajesh Mane, secretary, MAPPM.