Organizations

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is responsible for the general health policies of India.

The Medical Council of India is an independant statutory body whose primary tasks are the registration of physicians in India and the overseeing and standardization of medical teaching within the country.

All plastic surgeons must be members of the Association of Plastic Surgeons of India.

Also prominent in the field of plastic surgery is the The Indian Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (IAAPS) which is associated with the International Socitey of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. IAAPS members are detailed online on the association's website.

Education

The MB BS course is of 4.5 years following a 6 month introductory course. After this there is a 1 year of Compulsory Rotating Residential Internship. This is equivalent to the standard 6 year medical training in Europe or America.

Specialization such as in Plastic Surgery is awarded a Master Chirurgiae (M.Ch.) following an examination at the end of a 3 year training course. Plastic Surgeons can only train in their specialty after first completing training in General Surgery MS (Surgery), itself a 3 year year course - thus qualified Plastic Surgeons will have a minimun of 6 years specialist training.

The Medical Council of India is responsible for encoraging and organizing continuing education for medical professionals in India.

Complaints

Information on the complaints procedure are available on the Medical Council of India's website. Civil proceedings are also possible.

Storage and Access to Medical Records

The ethical guidelines of the Medical Council of India state that medical professionals must maintain medical records for a minimun of 3 years. Records must be stored securely and individuals are to be allowed access to their records, with documents handed over within a maximun of 72 hours.

Resources

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
email: resp-health@hub.nic.in
website: http://mohfw.nic.in/

The Medical Council of India
Pocket- 14 , Sector - 8, Dwarka Phase -1
New Delhi - 110077
India
tel: +91-11-25367033
website: http://www.mciindia.org/
complaints: http://www.mciindia.org/tools/grievances/index.htm
code of ethics: http://www.mciindia.org/know/rules/ethics.htm
accredited specialization facilities: http://www.mciindia.org/tools/medical_colleges/courses.htm

Association of Plastic Surgeons of India (APSI)
email: singharun@hotmail.com

The Indian Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons
website: http://www.iaaps.net/
list of members: http://www.iaaps.net/associatemembers.htm

Medical Schools
IIME directory of Indian medical schools: http://www.iime.org/database/asia/india.htm

Indian Plastic Surgery Map - the single best source of Plastic Surgeons in India information. Check location and contact a Plastic Surgery Clinic directly.