Mumbai: Allegations Against Pune Doctor for Signing Reports During Suspension
Complaint Filed with Authorities
Doctors have raised concerns about a Pune-based physician, Dr. Mohan, who allegedly signed multiple pathology reports despite having her medical registration suspended. A formal complaint was submitted to the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC), the State Public Health Department, and the Pune District Collector by the Maharashtra Association of Practising Pathologists and Microbiologists (MAPPM).
Discovery of Irregularities
The issue regarding Dr. Mohan emerged last Tuesday when an insurance company identified discrepancies in laboratory reports that bore her signature. The insurance company reportedly provided records related to the pathology reports of a patient from a private multi-speciality hospital in Jejuri, which were signed by the accused doctor.
Previous Disciplinary Action
MAPPM claims that Dr. Mohan continued to sign pathology reports despite facing disciplinary measures from the medical council, which included her removal from the council’s registry. Reports indicate that the MMC had previously taken action against Dr. Mohan for permitting her signature to be used on multiple pathology reports from private labs, despite not supervising them. As a result, her name was removed from the Medical Register for a period of three years.
Background of the Case
The MMC noted that Dr. Mohan had various associations with private pathology labs that were geographically distant, making regular oversight impractical. Her name and signature were utilized routinely for both standard and insurance claim reports. Although her suspension occurred six months ago in 2021, it is alleged that she continued to sign multiple pathology reports and failed to respond to notices issued by the council.
Long-standing Registration Issues
In addition to these allegations, the council discovered that Dr. Mohan had not responded to communications or notices from the MMC since 2019 and had not renewed her registration since 2012. Furthermore, she was found to be practicing in Maharashtra without a valid license.
Consequences of the Findings
After reviewing the situation, the MMC Administrator decided on December 26, 2024, to remove Dr. Mohan’s registration from the council’s records for three years under section 16 of the MMC Act. The complaint filed by Dr. Prasad Kulkarni, an executive member of MAPPM, emphasized that Dr. Mohan’s name, signature, and qualifications were still being used in pathology laboratories despite her suspension.
Response from Dr. Mohan
In response to the allegations, Dr. Mohan denied any wrongdoing, stating to Hindustan Times, “I have not given any signature anywhere. Since the suspension of my name from the registry, I am not practicing anywhere at present.”
MMC’s Stance on the Issue
MMC President Dr. Vinky Rughwani confirmed the receipt of the complaint and stated that signing laboratory reports without a valid registration is intolerable. He noted that such actions could be classified as practicing without a license and may result in criminal charges. Dr. Rughwani assured that the council would conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations before determining further actions.