Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine Governing Council( 2013-2016) Registration No.349, Panji, Goa MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT Dear Life Members of IAFM , I am sure that this Message finds you all in good health and spirit. This communication is the result of my intense desire to share some recent facts in relation to certain developments in MCI as a result of continuous efforts of GC IAFM regarding Curricular Reforms & Minimum Standard Faculty Requirement in Forensic Medicine. First one is the formation of Expert Group in Forensic Medicine by MCI , in which , along with me Col.Dr.Ravi Rautji & Dr. Sanjeev Lalwani are the members. This group was formed by MCI to get valuable inputs related to Curricular Reforms I am thankful to Dr. Jayshree Mehta,Hon'ble President, Medical Council Of India and in Particular , Dr. Ved Prakash Mishra , Chairman , Academic Committee of MCI for giving IAFM , an opportunity of being heard before the final document comes out. We have conveyed our professional concerns to the Chairman. This was mainly in relation to giving appropriate weight age to the subject as regards to Para clinical & Clinical Phase wise spread over of subject , teaching hours , examination pattern , and Mandatory Internship posting. As per the suggestions from the Chair person , We also gave final touches to the draft of defining vital & exhaustive list of Competencies expected in Forensic Medicine from a Medical Graduate. We also stressed the need of including Bio Ethics in Forensic Medicine as before , because it was completely separated in the draft document. I am positively hopeful that the faculty which helps in giving Justice to the victims of Crime , will definitely get Justice in the ongoing meeting of Reconciliation Board of MCI. Secondly I am expressly thankful to Dr. Jayshree Mehta , Hon'ble President ,Medical Council Of India for giving me the opportunity to speak about the problems of Forensic Medicine on behalf of IAFM. I was given sufficient time to address the General Body Of MCI on 26-03-15. On this occasion I appraised the house about the fact that various cases of crime against human being , Un ethical conduct of Doctors & Charges of Medical Negligence against Doctors are increasing day by day. The subject of Forensic Medicine (i.e. Medico Legal Expertise) Plays crucial role in the process of crime investigation and administration of Justice, i.e. Criminal Justice System. The MBBS graduates working as Medical officers in Health Services in Metro, Urban, Semi-urban and Rural areas have to compulsorily examine and issue report in these cases. The various Medico Legal cases in all the Medical college hospitals form the bulk of Clinical material just like other clinical subjects & forms an integral part of teaching this subject because the Forensic Faculty Members have to perform the Medico Legal examinations and simultaneously teach the same to the MBBS students. Hence this Clinical come Medico Legal component is the vital part of imparting knowledge to the students. The Hon'ble Supreme Court - High Courts and District Courts have reiterated the importance of this component on quite a number of occasions. I also brought it to the notice of Hon’ble President & Members of MCI , that The Medical Council of India is continuously reducing Minimum Standard Faculty Requirement In the subject of Forensic Medicine since the year 2000. This is having adverse impact on the quality of teaching and Medico Legal work & also discouraging the Young Graduates who want to take up this subject as their future career. In addition to this , it is also seriously jeopardizing / affecting the quality of crime investigation which can have disastrous effect in the upcoming future , for Doctors & Members of Society at large. The problems which will be faced by the Doctors will be two fold i. e. like a double edged sword. One is facing legal consequences for conduct of improper Medico Legal work. Secondly they will be charged for unethical conduct & be a victim of violence by patients & / or their relatives. The etiology of both these situations is one & i.e. Ignorance of Medico legal Procedures , Medical Jurisprudence & Other Laws related to Medical Practice. Friends , All this factual scenario projected by me on behalf of IAFM was not only acknowledged by the Hon’ble President MCI but also by the & Members of MCI from clinical disciplines in addition to those from Pre & Para clinical subjects. I am sincerely thankful to Dr. Sanjeev Lalwani , Col.Dr.Ravi Rautji , Dr. Silvano Sapeco for their co operation & moral support and also to Dr. T. D. Dogra. It is needless to say that the support of You all , Sound home work of proposal by General Secretary-IAFM Dr.C B Jani & help of G.C. Members was the back bone of this exercise and endevour in MCI. I hope that , Indian Academy Forensic Medicine will succeed in this endeavor with Your Continued Support & Love. So let us hope for the Best. Thanking You All. Long Live IAFM. Yours Dr. Sudhir Nanandkar President IAFM And Member MCI