NEWS18| Orissa HC directs a survey to ascertain if allopathic doctors possess proper, relevant qualification

The Orissa High Court has directed the State Government, to come up with a comprehensive plan under which a survey will be undertaken to ascertain that every allopathic doctor practising in Odisha in possesses the proper and relevant qualification.

"Such a survey should be undertaken in a time bound manner and be concluded preferably within a period of six months. An affidavit be filed in this Court by the Addl. Chief Secretary to Government, Health and Family Welfare Department, at least one week prior to the next date, setting out the modalities of verification, the time period within which the verification will be concluded and the consequential action if it is found that a person was practising without due qualification....", the High Court has further ordered.

Court has further ordered that such steps be taken in co-ordination with the Medical Council of India.

A bench of Chief Justice S. Muralidhar and Justice Sanjeeb Kumar Panigrahi made these observations while dealing with a case before it where an enquiry was ordered and the action taken in one particular case of appointment of a doctor without proper degree certificate was placed before it.

High Court further noted with concern that in a survey conducted by the World Bank it was noticed that at least 51% of the medical practitioners do not possess valid qualifications.

"The Court is of the view that, in light of the above report, the action taken only in respect of one case can hardly be termed as adequate...", the bench said while directing the Addl. Chief Secretary to Government, Health and Family Welfare Department, to come up with a comprehensive plan under which a survey will be undertaken.

The matter will now be taken up on January 27, 2023.

Case Title: Odisha State Legal Services Authority vs. State of Odisha and Others