Firangi Quack: Fake Indian Doctor in Australia Discovered after 11 years of practice

Australian authorities have been left baffled after the discovery that a fake impostor had been practicing as a medical practitioner in the country for the past 11 years. The man has been now identified as Shyam Acharya, who was working or NSW Health  as a junior doctor from 2003 to May 2014 at hospitals in Manly, Wyong, Hornsby and Gosford.

Telegaph reports that Impostor foreign doctor Shyam Acharya faked his way into Australia on a stolen identity and treated patients in the state’s hospitals and emergency departments for more than 10 years.Australian authorities further informed the media that Shyam Acharya had stolen the identity of an Indian Doctor to get the employment in NSW Public Health.  His case was mentioned at Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney. The country has been shocked with the scandal, even more so thinking how the impostor managed to get passed border protection, and even practice as a doctor in the country for 11 years. He had been even awarded citizenship of the country, reports BBC

It was in November 2016, when the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency began investigating him for “falsely holding himself out as a registered medical practitioner”. NSW Health was notified shortly afterwards and launched its own investigation, deputy secretary Karen Crawshaw stated.

Ms Crawshaw further said, “It is alleged in these proceedings that Mr Acharya appropriated another doctor’s name and medical qualifications while living in India and that he used these stolen and other fraudulent documents to gain registration falsely with the Medical Board of NSW.”

“The matters currently before the court do not deal with how he was able to enter and leave Australia or how he obtained Australian citizenship in the name of the other doctor.”

He has been charged under section 116 of the Health Practitioner National Regulation Law (NSW), which makes it an offence to use a title that could make others believe you are a registered medical professional. Mr Crawshaw said, if he convicted against the said charges he would have to faces a fine of up to $30,000.

Speaking with Telegraph, Mr Crawshaw said, “It is noted that Mr Acharya’s involvement was only as one of a number in the clinical team that treated the patient. NSW Health has notified solicitors acting for the patient.”

“The Medical Council of NSW and the Health Care Complaints Commission have advised they have received no complaints about Mr Acharya.”

Authorities have been unable to find or contact Mr Acharya, saying his current whereabouts are unknown.

IMA supports timely notification of notifiable diseases

A notifiable disease is any disease that is to be reported to government authorities as required by the law. India has a double burden of NCDs and communicable diseases, despite the disease epidemiology transitioning to noncommunicable diseases because communicable diseases continue to be prevalent in the country and be major public health concerns. Every now and then, dengue makes it appearance, taking on an epidemic form. Last year, the national capital faced an unprecedented high number of Chikungunya cases. Cases of Bird flu have been reported. China is in the midst of an ongoing avian influenza A epidemic. With blurring of international boundaries and increasing travel, there is a threat of global spread of any infectious disease. The recent Zika virus infection outbreak in Mexico was declared a public health emergency of international concern. Zika is still spreading. Doctors alone can no longer be responsible for Public health. Prevention and control of outbreaks also requires commitment on the part of Policy makers, administrators and all stakeholders. Notification of disease is a step in this endeavor. Notification of a disease is an important source of epidemiological information. It allows mapping of affected areas, the epicentre in particular and take preventive steps to control the spread. Notification strengthens public health surveillance systems. Regulation 5.2 of the MCI Code of Ethics Regulations, 2002 require a physician to notify the constituted public health authorities of every case of communicable disease under his care. “5.2 Public and Community Health: Physicians, especially those engaged in public health work, should enlighten the public concerning quarantine regulations and measures for the prevention of epidemic and communicable diseases. At all times the physician should notify the constituted public health authorities of every case of communicable disease under his care, in accordance with the laws, rules and regulations of the health authorities. When an epidemic occurs a physician should not abandon his duty for fear of contracting the disease himself.” Indian Penal Code 269 says “Any negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life is punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both” and IPC 270 says “Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.” While a doctor is expected to maintain privacy and confidentiality and not disclose the secrets of a patient that have been learnt in the exercise of his / her profession, exceptions to this in a court of law under orders of the Presiding Judge, in circumstances where there is serious and identified risk to a specific person and/or the community and in case of notifiable diseases (Regulation 7.14). In case of communicable / notifiable diseases, concerned public health authorities should be informed immediately. List of Notifiable Diseases 1. Cerebrospinal fever 12. Tuberculosis 2. Chickenpox 13. Infectious Hepatitis (Hepatitis A, B, C, D & E) 3. Diphtheria 14. Epidemic Influenza (Including Swine Flu (H1N1), Bird Flu & Seasonal Influenza) 4. Leprosy 15. Whooping cough 5. Cholera 16. Viral encephalitis 6. Measles 17. Hemorrhagic fever (Including Dengue) 7. Plague 18. Malaria 8. Rabies 19. Tetanus 9. Scarlet fever 20. Poliomyelitis 10. Smallpox* 21. AIDS 11. Typhoid/Enteric fever 22. Chikungunya 23. Any other disease which the Government may from time to time by notification declare to be a notified disease for the purpose of this part either generally throughout the state or in such part or parts thereof as may be specified in the notification. *Small Pox globally eradicated in the year 1980, but continues to be a notifiable disease. Not notifying diseases like TB, dengue or Chikungunya is a violation of the above regulations including local municipal acts. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) supports proper and timely notification of a notifiable disease. But, it also wants cancer, Zika virus disease and microcephaly to be included in the notifiable list.

Medical Terrorism, New Term To Defame Doctors

 A nationwide movement ‘Stop Medical Terrorism’ was initiated today by a group of victims of medical negligence and supporters of the cause under the platform of Dr. Anamika Ray Memorial Trust, Guwahati, demanding better health care services in India.
At its first advocacy meet, a researcher of medico-legal practices at Tezpur Medical College, spoke about the growing rate of medico-legal issues in the country and their root causes.
Another speaker,an official of Assam Police, expressed his views on combating the alleged criminal negligence of medical profession.
A former professor of a medical university, said 90 per cent doctors are dedicated and only a few are selfish.
He advocated that all surgical operations be video recorded for transparency.
A few victims of this movement also shared their views on the pain, and humiliation that patients and their family members face because of ‘harassment’ by doctors.
The convenor of this movement and managing trustee of Dr Anamika Ray Memorial Trust, urged all the victims and well wishers to support this movement.
At the meeting it was resolved that June 25 will be organised as the nationwide protest day against ‘medical terrorism’ and July 19 will be observed as the Anti-Medical Terrorism Day.
Source : PTI

Cap On Pharma Companies Gifts For Doctors

         In a move to curb the unethical practice of pharma companies seeking to influence doctors and chemists through expensive "gifts", the government is set to impose a ceiling of Rs 1,000 on the value of such giveaways. The government is also considering a blanket ban on expensive freebies such as cruise or vacation tickets and sponsored educational conferences and seminars that can be means of making payments and offering benefits.
The Rs 1,000 cap is considered sufficient for drug manufacturers to offer items intended to ensure brand recall. The department of pharmaceuticals (DoP) is in the final stages of issuing an executive order making Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) mandatory for the drug manufacturing industry. The order will cover doctors, chemists and hospitals and the states.
        The health ministry and Medical Council of India have been consulted on the decision. Once the executive order is issued by DoP, the code will be binding on all the stakeholders and any violation of the norms will attract punishment and penalty. "It can vary from a warning to the cancellation of license depending upon the extent of the violation," the official said.
Highlights

• The govt is also considering a blanket ban on expensive freebies such as cruise or vacation tickets.
• The department will soon issue an order making Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices mandatory for the drug manufacturing industry.
• The executive order will cover doctors, chemists, hospitals, and states.

SC Decision, No FIR Against A Doctor On Misadvice

 

An important decision from Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, that if the advice of a doctor or lawyer goes wrong in some way, even then no case under section 420 IPC or something like that can be registered against him/her. The court also said that in professions like lawyers and doctors, the professionals cannot guarantee the success of the case. Courts said that the advocate cannot provide the guarantee to his/her client that he would definitely win the case and nor the doctor can tell his patient that is operations are always successful. And though this professions doctor and lawyer can only say that they are experienced in their work and they would do their best efforts so that they are successful.