Strict action against medical practitioners recommending tests for COVID-19 without examining the patients

In recent developments, the BMC has announced that it will take strict action against private medical practitioners who are giving out letters recommending swab tests for COVID-19 without physically examining the patients. The doctors would be sent official notices for the cancellation of their registration. The civic body further added that it could also get an FIR registered against them.

Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal during his visit to the M East ward which comprises of Govandi and Mankhurd — on Sunday, was made aware of the fact that many private doctors were recommending swab tests for people who have no symptoms without examining them. Chahal speaking to the media stated that the civic body got to know through many people that individuals who are not showing any symptoms but suspect catching the virus have been getting private doctors to write prescriptions for them recommending tests. Also, the doctors were found recommending tests to people who do not even stay in the same locality.

Iqbal Singh Chahal, following the visit, directed the medical Health Officers (MOHs) of all wards to make sure that private medical practitioners only give prescriptions recommending tests to those who are showing the symptoms of coronavirus after examining them. The MOHs have now been told that if they find any doctor recommending tests without physical examination, they should first issue them notices for cancellation of their registration. If the doctors are found doing the same again, then they would be booked.

According to the guidelines released by the BMC on May 12, it had clarified that symptomatic persons should be tested after registered private medical practitioners recommending the same. BMC had made testing guidelines extremely strict after many asymptomatic people rushed to get themselves tested. This not only increased the load on testing labs and hospitals but also led to a lag in testing time and results. The civic body had also stopped home testing by private labs without its permission.