Imagine the plight of a doctor, who is registered with the Medical Council of India (MCI) on a life membership but suddenly finds out that to practice in his Home state of Maharashtra, he need to renew his license every five years with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC), which does not accept the accreditation of the national body!

Caught in the crossfire between the MCI and the MMC doctors are in a quandary about which rulebook to follow. The irony, according to practising doctors who spoke to SUNDAY MiD DAY, on condition of anonymity, is that many states still do not have their own Medical Council and therefore follow the MCI guidelines, whereas states like Maharashtra, Delhi, Punjab and others have their own medical councils where rules vary.