📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Health
West Bengal Orders Credential Checks for Doctors in Private Hospitals
✍️ Medical Dialogues
🗓 05 Oct 2026, 03:40 PM
👁 6
The West Bengal government has issued a directive requiring private healthcare facilities to verify the qualifications and registration of all practicing doctors.
The state health ministry announced that private hospitals and clinics must now verify the credentials of every doctor before allowing them to practice, with the rule taking effect from a specified date.
The policy is designed to eliminate unqualified practitioners, enhance patient safety and bring private facilities in line with national medical standards. Facilities are required to submit copies of medical degrees, registration with the National Medical Commission and any specialist certifications to the state health authority.
Non‑compliance will attract penalties, including fines or suspension of the institution’s licence, and the department will conduct periodic audits and demand digital records of verification.
The directive follows complaints from patient groups and recent reports of unqualified doctors treating patients in private settings. Authorities have given a grace period for existing staff to complete the documentation process.
Officials said the impact of the rule will be monitored closely and could serve as a model for other states if successful.
The policy is designed to eliminate unqualified practitioners, enhance patient safety and bring private facilities in line with national medical standards. Facilities are required to submit copies of medical degrees, registration with the National Medical Commission and any specialist certifications to the state health authority.
Non‑compliance will attract penalties, including fines or suspension of the institution’s licence, and the department will conduct periodic audits and demand digital records of verification.
The directive follows complaints from patient groups and recent reports of unqualified doctors treating patients in private settings. Authorities have given a grace period for existing staff to complete the documentation process.
Officials said the impact of the rule will be monitored closely and could serve as a model for other states if successful.