<div>Doctors applying to get their Karnataka Medical Council (KMC) registration numbers and hence a licence to practise are being given smart biometric cards in an attempt to eliminate quacks. <br /><br />So far, over one lakh doctors have applied for the same. Started in January, these smart cards will be issued to anyone who has just completed MBBS degree and has sought registration. For the existing practitioners, the card is being issued at the time of licence renewal.<br /><br />Once practitioners apply for licence renewal, their documents will be verified, photographs scanned and uploaded. Fingerprints will also be taken. This data will later be incorporated into a smart card which bears the registration number. <br /><br />“There are many practitioners who would have left the country. Some would have died. Once they apply for renewal, such cases can be identified,” said Dr T A Veerabhadraiah, a KMC member.<br /><br />When the Council members visited Udupi, they came across a case where a female staff nurse with a few years of experience claimed to be a doctor. She was caught prescribing medicines to patients. When her documents were verified, it was found that she had superimposed her photograph on the certificate of a doctor. So, the Council has been planning to introduce a fool-proof system, said Veerabhadraiah.<br /><br />Should a doctor be sued or if a complaint is lodged against him with the Council, these details can also be accessed through the card. The Council can keep tabs on practitioners, having made it convenient to eliminate quacks. The Continuous Medical Education (CME) points will also be added to data on the card. <br /><br />Practitioners can seek appointments online to avail the card. The cards will be handed over to them the same evening they visit the Council seeking renewal. The renewal costs Rs 1,500 and Keonics company has been roped in for the entire exercise. <br /><br />KMC sources said the cost for registration is being debated as a few members have sought that the doctors be charged less. <br /><br /></div>
<div>Doctors applying to get their Karnataka Medical Council (KMC) registration numbers and hence a licence to practise are being given smart biometric cards in an attempt to eliminate quacks. <br /><br />So far, over one lakh doctors have applied for the same. Started in January, these smart cards will be issued to anyone who has just completed MBBS degree and has sought registration. For the existing practitioners, the card is being issued at the time of licence renewal.<br /><br />Once practitioners apply for licence renewal, their documents will be verified, photographs scanned and uploaded. Fingerprints will also be taken. This data will later be incorporated into a smart card which bears the registration number. <br /><br />“There are many practitioners who would have left the country. Some would have died. Once they apply for renewal, such cases can be identified,” said Dr T A Veerabhadraiah, a KMC member.<br /><br />When the Council members visited Udupi, they came across a case where a female staff nurse with a few years of experience claimed to be a doctor. She was caught prescribing medicines to patients. When her documents were verified, it was found that she had superimposed her photograph on the certificate of a doctor. So, the Council has been planning to introduce a fool-proof system, said Veerabhadraiah.<br /><br />Should a doctor be sued or if a complaint is lodged against him with the Council, these details can also be accessed through the card. The Council can keep tabs on practitioners, having made it convenient to eliminate quacks. The Continuous Medical Education (CME) points will also be added to data on the card. <br /><br />Practitioners can seek appointments online to avail the card. The cards will be handed over to them the same evening they visit the Council seeking renewal. The renewal costs Rs 1,500 and Keonics company has been roped in for the entire exercise. <br /><br />KMC sources said the cost for registration is being debated as a few members have sought that the doctors be charged less. <br /><br /></div>
