‘Conversion therapy’ for LGBTQ+ people misconduct by doctors: NMC to Madras HC – Times of India

Chennai News

CHENNAI: ‘Conversion therapy’ (attempts to change one’s sexual orientation or gender identity) performed by any doctor will be construed as professional misconduct and prosecuted accordingly, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has told the Madras high court.
The NMC made the submission in view of a recommendation made by a committee constituted to modify the syllabus of the MBBS course so that medical students could be sensitised about sexual orientations of persons belonging to LGBTQIA+ community. The committee was appointed following a direction issued by Justice N Anand Venkatesh.
“In the recommendations, the committee had made it very clear that any attempt / interventions to change the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of a person, which is commonly referred to as conversion therapy, should be construed as a professional misconduct on the part of the medical professionals under the Indian Medical Council, Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics Regulation, 2002,” Justice Anand Venkatesh said.
“In view of the same, there shall be a direction to NMC to immediately circulate the report of the expert committee and the recommendations made to all state medical councils across the country. This will ensure that the state medical council, wherever it is conferred with the power of taking disciplinary action for professional misconduct, can take note of the recommendations of the expert committee, and proceed to take action against the medical professional concerned,” the court said.
The court then suo motu added the Tamil Nadu Medical Council as party-respondent and directed it to ensure compliance of the recommendation. The case was then adjourned to April 8 for reporting compliance.
The court passed the order on a plea moved by a lesbian couple alleging harassment by police and their parents.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/conversion-therapy-for-lgbtq-people-misconduct-by-doctors-nmc-to-madras-hc/articleshow/89736933.cms