Whether they boast of ‘world-class services’ or promise freedom from some debilitating disease, doctors and hospitals in Karnataka cannot advertise their professional services anymore.

In a recent order, the Karnataka Medical Council said: “Every registered medical practitioner registered with the Karnataka Medical Council or elsewhere and practising in Karnataka shall abide by the Code of Medical Ethics vide 6.1.1. and 6.1.2., including institutions. Any violation by an individual/ institution will be treated as ‘professional misconduct’ and action will be initiated under Section 15 of Karnataka Medical Council Act.”

Penalty
The penalty could range from a warning to derecognition for a year. Persistent violation could lead to permanent derecognition, which means the medical professional cannot practice anywhere in the world.

Nagendraswamy, Group Medical Director, Manipal Health Systems said many doctors and institutional representatives present in the meeting with KMC agreed the cause raised by KMC was good, but the line between awareness and advertisement was very thin.

“It is important not to mislead the public which is the concern the Council has, which we respect.

He gave the example of the Middle-East where all advertisements from hospitals have to be screened by a government body and newspapers accept ads only after approval with a reference number if given by the screening committee. The guidelines should not be applied selectively but equitable, he added