Health Ministry guidelines mandate online course for telemedicine practice

Doctors must complete course within 3 years of notification of norms; expert says guidelines seem fine, but will take months to prepare the course and won't be useful during Covid-19 pandemic

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare along with NITI Aayog on Wednesday released guidelines to allow registered medical practitioners for providing telemedicine consultation. 

Telemedicine is the process of offering remote diagnosis and treatment of patient using electronic communication platforms. 

According to the guidelines, an online programme will be developed and made available in supersession of the Medical Council of India, to get the practitioners familiar with the guidelines and the process and limitations of telemedicine practice. All registered medical practitioners are required to complete a mandatory online course within 3 years of notification of the guidelines to provide consultation through telemedicine,