“Doctors compelled to undergo training against their will”
A government doctor has filed a writ petition in the Madras High Court Bench alleging that the State government was compelling medical practitioners possessing MBBS degrees to undergo a Life Saving Anaesthetic Skill (LSAS) training course that leads to a certification authorising them to administer general anaesthesia and spinal anaesthesia to obstetrics and gynaecology patients.
Admitting the writ petition filed by P.P. Ramajeyam, an Assistant Surgeon recruited to Tamil Nadu Medical Service through the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission and posted to work at Government Hospital, Peraiyur, in Madurai district, Justice K. Venkataraman directed a government counsel to take notice on behalf of the Joint Director of Health Services and other official respondents.
According to the petitioner, the LSAS training, spanning for 24 weeks, covered all aspects of clinical anaesthesia and basic sciences. The trainees should complete 100 cases of spinal anaesthesia, 30 cases of general anaesthesia, 10 cases of epidural anaesthesia, and 10 cases of laryngeal mask insertion apart from cardio pulmonary circulatory resuscitation (CPCR) and cannulation on mannequins.
“Though the LSAS is only an optional training, all the government doctors with MBBS degrees are being compelled to participate in the training without getting their willingness… I never sent any application to undergo LSAS training. But without any application and without my consent, I was directed by the Joint Director to join LSAS training at Madurai Medical College,” he claimed.
His counsel C. Arulvadivel alias Sekar contended that such a training was ultra vires to the Constitution and contrary to the provisions of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, and the Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916, and was being given to government doctors without the permission of Medical Council of India. “As per medial norms and ethics, a doctor should not practice in a branch of medicine without possessing statutorily prescribed qualification relevant to that branch. The certificate issued after the completion of LSAS training is not statutorily prescribed qualification to give anaesthesia to patients,” the petitioner's affidavit read.
@sthomas
Do you think a government doctor has a choice to opt out. And there are
also many doctors now a days who are serving out bond periods. One
cannot practice a branch of medicine one does not like. Different
specialities need different aptitudes. During longer duration course,
people change and adapt and develop those qualities needed to survive.
Short courses should be only for people who self select and have keen
interest
Anaesthesia has come a long way from the days of chloroform and the
field has progressed so much that the chance of a person dying under
anaesthetic is less than that from dying from a plane crash. This is the
result of stringent patient safety norms which are in place. All this
are being threatened by this short sighted move. Hope the responsible
people sees some sense
to learn how to save patient ,and patient safety come first.those who can save a patient life is call a savior .so i think it is a great step that the govnmnt has taken . some doc don't know how to an intravenous line .
The govt. of Tamilnadu should have got the permission of the MCI before this and give a diploma or a degree and the MCI in the larger interests of the population should make the training in anaesthesia mandatory for all doctors who qualify. There is a dearth of anaesthetists even in the urban areas.Infact even MCI is behind times
Its is acceptable that, all doctors should be trained in LSAS , and
all medics para medic should be trained in ALS acute life saving
(CPCR), no bought in that .
how ever it is appalling that these " trained " people can be allowed
to practice Anaesthesia , that too in Maternity service , where life
of 2 is at stake in a given time , i should agree i am not fully aware of the procedure and system in place when these people Anaesthetise. Indian life is made cheap and utter disregard.
It is surprising that these things still happen even in govt. institutions. Without
structured training, assessment and adequate experience, it will be morally and
legally incorrect to put a patient's life at risk....whether rich or poor.
Government and the medical council of India should have a long term view, to
solve the shortage of specialists in Govt. institutions, rather than resorting to
sticking plaster solutions.
There more than enough talent and manpower in the country to provide a safe and
the state of the art medical service. What seems to be lacking is the "fairness in
recognition of talent & experience" esp. in govt institutions, realistic renumeration
and forward thinking and planning. Unless the authorities recognise and address
this nothing much will ever change and patents will continue to suffer.
Consultant Urologist,
United Kingdom
The said training might help providers to make administration of anaesthesia
safer. Unsafe anaesthesia is a major contributor to mortality in remote India and it is not possible to get fully trained anesthetists to work in many such places. Even in a developed country like Australia rural GPs are trained and supported to provide anaesthesia for obstetrics and emergency surgeries.
If the government decides that it is a skill necessary for doctors posted in the rural service, the option for the concerned doctor is to opt out of service or work in a place where such service is not required. Because patient safety should be the most important criterion.
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