The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), through MS Notices 01 of 2015, 08 of 2023, and 10 of 2024, has established guidelines for the approval of medical examiners for seafarers in accordance with Rule 4 of the MS Medical Examination Rules, 2000. These guidelines aim to ensure the highest standards of medical examination for seafarers.
However, instances of misconduct by approved medical examiners have been observed, including non-compliance with prescribed guidelines. This Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) outlines the criteria, process, and consequences for the suspension and debarment of medical examiners found guilty of malpractice. View this DGS has issued Suspension Procedure for Malpractice in Examination of Seafarers by DGS-Approved Doctors
DG Shipping has issued SOP and it applies to all DGS-approved medical examiners responsible for
conducting medical examinations of seafarers.
Suspension Criteria
- Furnishing fabricated documents for DGS approval/Lifetime Suspension
- Fraud in submission or non-compliance with required infrastructure/One Year Suspension
- Non-compliance with laboratory requirements (NABUNABH): Three Month Suspension
- Conducting examinations at unauthorized locations: Six Month Suspension
- Failure to upload medical examination reports: Three Month Suspension
- Issuing fabricated medical fitness certificates of seafarers: Lifetime Suspension
- Uploading fabricated medical fitness certificates of seafarers: One Year Suspension
- Non Availability of Medical record: One Year Suspension
- Major discrepancy observed in clinic: One Year Suspension
This SOP outlines other aspect related to suspension. Refer below link for detailed guidelines.