West Bengal has ordered private hospitals and nursing homes to verify doctors’ registration with the state medical council before appointing them, following the arrest of several alleged fake doctors and questions from the Calcutta High Court about the government’s response. The health department has also sought detailed reports from hospitals, according to a report by Sangbad Pratidin.
The directive has been signed by Swapan Soren, the state’s director of health services. It sets out four measures aimed at preventing people without valid credentials from presenting themselves as doctors and practising across healthcare facilities.
Under the first direction, private hospitals and nursing homes must verify a doctor’s registration before making an appointment. The verification is to be carried out with reference to Rule 7(4) of the West Bengal Clinical Establishments (Registration, Regulation and Transparency) Rules, 2017. The rule provides the administrative framework against which the appointment and registration details are to be examined.
The health department has also called for greater vigilance from bodies responsible for issuing doctors’ licences. The directive notes that individuals sometimes claim to be doctors and practise without valid registration. Institutions and licensing authorities have been asked to ensure that such cases are identified and brought to the attention of the relevant authorities.
Where there is doubt about a person’s educational qualification or registration, the information must be referred promptly for verification, the order says. This places an obligation on private healthcare providers to resolve doubts before allowing a doctor to join or continue practising, rather than treating credential checks as a post-appointment formality.
The move follows arrests of alleged fake doctors in Bardhaman and other parts of West Bengal in recent days. The issue also came before the Calcutta High Court in a case concerning fake doctors, in which the court sought information about steps taken by the state government. The new directive was issued after that judicial intervention, according to the report.
The health department has stated that strict legal action will be taken if a fake doctor is detected despite the instructions. The order also warns that those found responsible could face severe punishment. The supplied report does not specify the exact offences or penalties that would apply in individual cases.
The directive is aimed at private hospitals and nursing homes, which will now be expected to maintain verifiable records of doctors’ registration and qualifications. The health department’s request for detailed reports from hospitals indicates that the government is also seeking information on compliance and existing recruitment practices.
Various doctors’ organisations in the state have welcomed the four directions. The next operational step will be the submission and examination of reports from healthcare institutions, along with the implementation of registration checks during recruitment and the referral of doubtful credentials to the appropriate authorities.
