The National Health Writers & Influencers Convention (NHWIC-2024) recently convened a session at AIIMS, New Delhi, titled “Navigating Medical Ethics in the Current and Future Landscape.” Organized by the HEAL Foundation, this session gathered esteemed experts from medicine, healthcare, and innovation to discuss the ethical challenges shaping clinical care practices in India.

Panellists underscored the importance of adhering to the National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines, issued in 2023 but currently suspended due to legal hurdles, to uphold ethical and high-quality medical standards. These guidelines, aimed at regulating medical education and practice in India, advocate for the use of generic medicines equivalent in quality and efficacy to their branded counterparts.

Moderating the session, Ms. Krishna Sarma, Founder and Managing Partner of Corporate Law Group, emphasised the pivotal role of medical ethics in fostering trust between doctors and patients and ensuring the integrity of healthcare services. She hailed the NMC guidelines as a significant step towards maintaining ethical standards and safeguarding patient rights.

Dr. Girish Tyagi, Registrar of the Delhi Medical Council and President Elect of the Delhi Medical Association, urged healthcare professionals to familiarise themselves with and abide by the NMC guidelines, emphasising their role in preventing malpractice and enhancing patient safety.

Dr. Sunil Khetarpal, Director of the Association of Healthcare Providers (India) (AHPI), stressed the importance of informed consent in medical interventions, highlighting its ethical and legal significance in maintaining patient autonomy and preventing complications.

Addressing the role of innovation in healthcare, Dr. Rajeev Gautam, Corporate Officer at HORIBA, Ltd., Japan, and President of HORIBA India, advocated for leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and molecular diagnostics to improve diagnostic accuracy and affordability while ensuring regulatory compliance.

The NHWIC-2024 serves as a vital platform for health writers and influencers to exchange insights and perspectives on pressing health issues. The session on medical ethics underscored the indispensable role of ethical principles in fostering trust and quality in healthcare delivery.