Article Today, New Delhi: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued strict new guidelines to regulate the practice of live surgeries in private hospitals. The move aims to ensure patient safety and uphold ethical standards. The NMC now mandates prior approval from either itself or the respective state medical councils before any live surgery can be conducted.
Live Surgeries Only for Medical Training: According to the NMC, live surgeries should serve only educational or training purposes. Hospitals must possess valid accreditation and fully equipped operation theatres. Essential facilities such as pre-operative care, anesthesia, post-operative recovery, ICU, and laboratory services must be in place. Institutions lacking such infrastructure will no longer be allowed to conduct live surgical procedures. The focus, the commission stated, should be solely on academic benefit, not publicity or financial gain.
High-Risk Surgeries Banned from Live Streaming
The guidelines prohibit live broadcasting of high-risk surgeries and procedures involving patients with incomplete medical investigations. The NMC warns that such cases pose serious threats to patient safety. Hospitals must ensure that all medical evaluations are complete and risks are minimized before selecting a case for live demonstration.
Informed Consent is Mandatory
Before performing any live surgery, hospitals must obtain written informed consent from the patient. The consent form should clearly explain the nature of the procedure, potential risks, benefits, and the steps taken to ensure privacy. The guidelines stress that patients should be fully aware and must not be coerced into agreeing. Without proper consent, live surgeries will be considered a violation of medical ethics.
Commercial Intent Faces Tight Restrictions
The NMC’s move follows a public interest petition filed in the Supreme Court by advocate Raheel Chowdhary and others. The petition highlighted how some private hospitals were conducting live surgeries for commercial promotion and corporate branding, ignoring patient safety. Responding to these concerns, the NMC formed a committee and developed detailed rules. The guidelines now clearly prohibit using live surgeries as marketing tools for hospitals, surgeons, or companies.
Patient Safety Comes First
The NMC emphasized that patient welfare must always take precedence over institutional ambitions or individual fame. The commission reminded all stakeholders that the sanctity of medical practice depends on transparency, consent, and professional responsibility. It urged hospitals to strictly follow the rules and warned of consequences for non-compliance. With these changes, the medical community is expected to reflect deeply on the balance between education and ethics, ensuring that technological advancement does not come at the cost of human dignity.
