Message of The President - Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine

Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine
Governing Council( 2013-2016)
Registration No.349, Panji, Goa
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT
Dear Life Members of IAFM ,
I am sure that this Message finds you all in good health and spirit. This
communication is the result of my intense desire to share some recent facts in
relation to certain developments in MCI as a result of continuous efforts of GC
IAFM regarding Curricular Reforms & Minimum Standard Faculty
Requirement in Forensic Medicine.
First one is the formation of Expert Group in Forensic Medicine by MCI ,
in which , along with me Col.Dr.Ravi Rautji & Dr. Sanjeev Lalwani are the
members. This group was formed by MCI to get valuable inputs related to
Curricular Reforms I am thankful to Dr. Jayshree Mehta,Hon'ble President,
Medical Council Of India and in Particular , Dr. Ved Prakash Mishra ,
Chairman , Academic Committee of MCI for giving IAFM , an opportunity of
being heard before the final document comes out. We have conveyed our
professional concerns to the Chairman. This was mainly in relation to giving
appropriate weight age to the subject as regards to Para clinical & Clinical
Phase wise spread over of subject , teaching hours , examination pattern ,
and Mandatory Internship posting. As per the suggestions from the Chair
person , We also gave final touches to the draft of defining vital & exhaustive
list of Competencies expected in Forensic Medicine from a Medical Graduate.
We also stressed the need of including Bio Ethics in Forensic Medicine as
before , because it was completely separated in the draft document. I am
positively hopeful that the faculty which helps in giving Justice to the victims of
Crime , will definitely get Justice in the ongoing meeting of Reconciliation
Board of MCI.
Secondly I am expressly thankful to Dr. Jayshree Mehta , Hon'ble
President ,Medical Council Of India for giving me the opportunity to speak
about the problems of Forensic Medicine on behalf of IAFM. I was given
sufficient time to address the General Body Of MCI on 26-03-15.
On this occasion I appraised the house about the fact that various
cases of crime against human being , Un ethical conduct of Doctors &
Charges of Medical Negligence against Doctors are increasing day by day.
The subject of Forensic Medicine (i.e. Medico Legal Expertise) Plays crucial
role in the process of crime investigation and administration of Justice, i.e.
Criminal Justice System. The MBBS graduates working as Medical officers in
Health Services in Metro, Urban, Semi-urban and Rural areas have to
compulsorily examine and issue report in these cases.
The various Medico Legal cases in all the Medical college hospitals
form the bulk of Clinical material just like other clinical subjects & forms an
integral part of teaching this subject because the Forensic Faculty Members
have to perform the Medico Legal examinations and simultaneously teach the
same to the MBBS students. Hence this Clinical come Medico Legal
component is the vital part of imparting knowledge to the students. The
Hon'ble Supreme Court - High Courts and District Courts have reiterated the
importance of this component on quite a number of occasions.
I also brought it to the notice of Hon’ble President & Members of MCI ,
that The Medical Council of India is continuously reducing Minimum Standard
Faculty Requirement In the subject of Forensic Medicine since the year 2000.
This is having adverse impact on the quality of teaching and Medico Legal
work & also discouraging the Young Graduates who want to take up this
subject as their future career. In addition to this , it is also seriously
jeopardizing / affecting the quality of crime investigation which can have
disastrous effect in the upcoming future , for Doctors & Members of Society at
large. The problems which will be faced by the Doctors will be two fold i. e.
like a double edged sword. One is facing legal consequences for conduct of
improper Medico Legal work. Secondly they will be charged for unethical
conduct & be a victim of violence by patients & / or their relatives. The etiology
of both these situations is one & i.e. Ignorance of Medico legal Procedures ,
Medical Jurisprudence & Other Laws related to Medical Practice.
Friends , All this factual scenario projected by me on behalf of IAFM
was not only acknowledged by the Hon’ble President MCI but also by the &
Members of MCI from clinical disciplines in addition to those from Pre & Para
clinical subjects.
I am sincerely thankful to Dr. Sanjeev Lalwani , Col.Dr.Ravi Rautji ,
Dr. Silvano Sapeco for their co operation & moral support and also to Dr. T. D.
Dogra. It is needless to say that the support of You all , Sound home work of
proposal by General Secretary-IAFM Dr.C B Jani & help of G.C. Members
was the back bone of this exercise and endevour in MCI.
I hope that , Indian Academy Forensic Medicine will succeed in this
endeavor with Your Continued Support & Love. So let us hope for the Best.
Thanking You All.
Long Live IAFM.
Yours
Dr. Sudhir Nanandkar
President IAFM And
Member MCI