Kerala Health Minister Warns Against Unregistered Medical Practice

Kerala Health Minister Veena George warned against unregistered medical practice, calling it a criminal offence under the Kerala State Medical Practitioners Act, 2021. The statement followed a patient's death in Kozhikode due to negligence by an unqualified doctor. George assured strict action against the accused.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George issued a stern warning on Tuesday against unregistered medical practices, labelling them a 'criminal offence'. She emphasized that all medical practitioners in the state must strictly adhere to existing legal requirements.

The Kerala State Medical Practitioners Act, 2021 makes it an offence to practice without registration in the state, George pointed out. Additionally, the Clinical Establishments Act places the responsibility on hospitals to ensure that their staff are suitably qualified and registered.

George sought public support to implement the Clinical Establishments Act and vowed maximum punishment for the alleged negligence that led to a patient's death in a Kozhikode hospital.

(With inputs from agencies.)