Maharashtra Medical Council Gives QR Codes to Doctors to Combat Quackery

The Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) has introduced a QR code for more than 1.40 lakh registered doctors in the state to check quacks and assist patients in making informed decisions.

Under the Know Your Doctor campaign, the QR codes are probably to be rolled out by the last week of January, whereas the announcement was made in July last year.

MMC president Dr Vinky Rughwani told TOI that the anti-quackery committee in each district hasn’t been able to check the menace or convict any bogus doctor.

The QR codes will now be mandatorily displayed at hospitals and clinics of MBBS and above qualified doctors for the public to verify their credentials.

Maharashtra Medical Council gives QR codes to doctors

Dr Rughwani said that the state is leading in having the highest number of 2 lakh registered medical practitioners in the country. Out of this, 1.40 lakh doctors renewed their registrations. “Only those who renewed their registration will receive the QR codes,” he said.

The codes will show information about the doctor’s qualifications and registration. MMC has tied up with a technology company to implement the Know Your Doctor project.

Dr Rughwani stated that the anti-quackery committees must have more participation from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the other medical fraternities.

The MMC head also said every doctor will get a unique link that will open upon scanning the QR code on a smartphone.

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