Punjab Medical Council Restores Licence of Suspended Surgeon

Strategic Insights -

The Punjab Medical Council (PMC) has reinstated the licence of a suspended surgeon, Dr. Praveen Devgan, despite concerns over his continued practice while under suspension. The council's decision has sparked outrage, particularly after The Times of India (TOI) reported that the surgeon had applied for a training program in laparoscopic hysterectomy, only to be informed by the hospital that he lacked the required qualifications to do so. The PMC's order to restore Dr. Devgan's licence has left many questioning the council's procedures and the National Medical Commission's (NMC) inaction on the matter.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Punjab Medical Council (PMC) restored the licence of Dr. Praveen Devgan despite concerns over his continued practice while under suspension.
  • The council's decision was taken in the general body meeting on September 25, 2024, after receiving an application from Dr. Devgan at the end of the six-month suspension period.
  • The PMC declined to reveal if Dr. Devgan fulfilled the conditions set by the ethics committee for his licence to be reinstated, including a root cause analysis of the deaths of two patients he operated on and a certificate showing that he completed a training program in laparoscopic hysterectomy.
  • The hospital where Dr. Devgan applied for training informed him that he lacked the required qualification to perform gynaecological procedures, citing the National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines.
  • The PMC urged the police to take action against Dr. Devgan for practicing while his licence was suspended, but the police have not taken any action.
  • The National Medical Commission (NMC) has refused to take up the patient's complaint against the PMC's decision to restore Dr. Devgan's licence.
  • The case filed by Dr. Devgan against his suspension was still pending on September 25, despite the PMC taking a decision to restore his licence before the court had made a decision.

Statistics:

  • The PMC suspended Dr. Devgan's registration for six months and debarred him from practice from December 21, 2023.
  • The suspension was initially meant to last for six months, but was extended further until Dr. Devgan complied with the conditions set by the ethics committee.
  • Dr. Devgan applied for a training program in laparoscopic hysterectomy in May 2024, only to be informed by the hospital that he lacked the required qualifications to do so.

Sources:

  • The Punjab Medical Council (PMC)
  • The Times of India (TOI)
  • National Medical Commission (NMC)