Every medical practitioner in the state of Manipur shall be required to register with the Manipur Medical Council (MMC).This was stated by Dr. K. Lokendro Singh, Registrar, MMC, while addressing a press conference today at Manipur Press Club, Imphal. Lokendro said the Manipur Medical Council Act, 2009, which have been defunct for two years since its inceptions got revived this year with the appointment of the Registrar of MMC and nomination of members under different sub sections and clauses. Under the provisions of this act, the powers, duties and functions of the state council are – to maintain the live state medical register, and to provide for the registration of medical practitioners; inspection, to hear and decide appeals against any decision of the Registrar; to prescribe a code of ethics for regulating the professional conduct of practitioners; to reprimand a practitioner, or to suspend or remove his name from the state medical register, or to take such other disciplinary action against him as may, in the opinion of the state council be necessary or expedient; to exercise such other powers, perform such other duties and discharge such other functions as are laid down in this act, or as may be prescribed; to receive complaints from public (including patients and their relatives) against misconduct or negligence by a medical practitioners, to proceed for inquest, take a decision on the merits of the case and to initiate disciplinary action or award, compensation and similarly to take action against frivolous complaints; to provide protection to its members in discharging professional duties; to ensure that no unqualified person practises modern scientific system of medicine in the state of Manipur. Dr. Lokendro further added that every medical practitioner in the state, whether practising or servicing in modern scientific system of medicine as physician/ surgeon or as an officer in Govt. or in any other Institution maintained by a local or other authorities in the state of Manipur are required to register under this act to the state council within one year from the date of commencement of this act failing which he shall be liable for action as determined by the state council.
