New Delhi: In a move to tighten ethical standards around live surgery broadcasts, the National Medical Commission (NMC) is planning to ban the promotion and marketing of medical devices and companies during educational live surgeries. NMC Chairman Dr. Abhijat Sheth confirmed the development, saying the Commission aims to make the regulations more practical and transparent, Mint reported.
NMC to Clarify Ambiguous Guidelines
Under the existing rules framed after a Supreme Court directive, live surgical procedures cannot be used to promote surgeons, hospitals, or product brands. Additionally, surgeons are barred from having financial or commercial interests in any medical device or equipment used during the operation. However, ambiguities in the current norms have led to confusion among medical professionals, prompting the NMC to revise them.
Draft Guidelines Under Revision
Dr. Sheth said in an interview, “We are working to amend the draft to make it more practical and acceptable to stakeholders.” He pointed out that the earlier version’s ‘pan-India procedure’ clause created uncertainty. “A procedure considered new in Delhi may not be new in Mumbai or southern India. We are addressing these issues, particularly the definition of ‘new procedures,’ and clarifying the roles of faculty and administration,” he explained.
Live Broadcasts Allowed Only for New Procedures
According to the existing NMC norms, live surgeries may be permitted for new procedures, while recorded videos are preferred for established or high-risk surgeries. Dr. Sheth said the updated guidelines will explicitly include a provision prohibiting any kind of marketing or product promotion during live surgery demonstrations. “Our goal is to fix these gaps and make the guidelines clearer and more effective,” he added.
Ethical Concerns and Patient Safety
Live surgery broadcasts, although considered valuable educational tools for surgeons and students, have long been controversial. The NMC has raised concerns that such events, especially in private hospitals, could exploit patients for commercial gain or self-promotion. The Commission maintains that prior permission from regulatory bodies like the NMC or State Medical Councils is mandatory for conducting any live surgery event.
Supreme Court Intervention in 2023
The debate around live surgeries gained legal traction in 2023 when a Delhi-based ophthalmologist approached the Supreme Court, flagging ethical and safety concerns. A bench led by Chief Justice D. Y. Chandrachud issued notices to the Centre, NMC, and other authorities. The petitioner’s counsel, Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, highlighted that some live surgeries are performed before audiences of up to 800 people, who even interact with surgeons during procedures.
NMC Sought Public Opinion
Following the Supreme Court petition, the NMC opened the issue for public consultation, asking whether live surgery broadcasts should be permitted in India. The Commission invited feedback from doctors, hospitals, and the general public to gauge perspectives on patient safety, education, and ethics.
NMC Issues New Ethical Framework
In response to the court’s concerns, the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of the NMC earlier this year issued formal guidelines governing live surgical broadcasts. These covered key aspects such as who may organise such events, where and how they may be conducted, who can perform the surgeries, and the responsibilities of organisers, including the requirement for prior regulatory approval.
