The GNLU Centre for Healthcare, Ethics, Legal Advocacy and Policy Research (G-HELP), inaugurated in September 2024, is extending its reach by offering the third batch of the Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Law, Policy, and Ethics. This initiative is in collaboration with the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Gujarat Chapter.
G-HELP also organised the second edition of MEDLAWCON 2025, a conference dedicated to discussions on India’s medico-legal system. The event brought together legal experts, medical professionals, and policymakers to explore healthcare rights and responsibilities.
The inaugural session of MEDLAWCON 2025 was held on 11 January 2025. It featured Justice Ilesh Vohra as the Chief Guest, Dr Alexander Thomas as a Distinguished Guest, and Dr Mehul Shah as the Co-host. Other eminent speakers, panellists, and experts joined the session. The event commenced with the lighting of the lamp, symbolising knowledge and collaboration, followed by the felicitation of esteemed guests in recognition of their contributions to the field of medical law.
Prof (Dr) Shanthakumar, Director of GNLU, delivered the welcome address, highlighting the essential collaboration between medicine and law in serving humanity and protecting individual dignity. He extended his gratitude to Prof Dhanya for her work on the Medical Law and Ethics course and to Dr Mehul Shah and his team from the IMA Gujarat Chapter for their role in creating the course. Prof Shanthakumar expressed optimism for the future growth of the collaboration between the healthcare sector and GNLU, describing it as “a fantastic event of two noble professions coming together and continuing to serve humanity and make life better for the common man.”
Dr Mehul Shah of the IMA Gujarat State Branch, in his special address, emphasised the influence of law on shaping the medical profession and discussed the evolving relationship between medicine, law, ethics, and policy. He highlighted the importance of humanity and societal progress, praising the collaboration between IMA and GNLU. Dr Shah also shared Hon’ble Justice Ilesh Vohra’s advice to medical professionals: “You are a lion, act as a lion in the field of medicine,” encouraging bold leadership in both fields.
Dr Alexander Thomas, Founder and Patron of AHPI, CAHO, and ANBAI, spoke on medical law and ethics. He addressed the impact of the Consumer Protection Act on doctor-patient relationships, the global recognition of healthcare violence by the WHO, and the need for legal protection for doctors. He also advocated for including Lifestyle Medicine in medical curricula and expressed interest in collaborating with GNLU on policy research for healthcare and climate change.
Hon’ble Justice Ilesh Vohra, in his inaugural address, underscored the importance of legal knowledge in the medical profession, particularly regarding negligence, consent, and transparency. He referred to the Jacob Matthew v. State of Punjab case as the “Bhagvad Gita” in medical negligence law, stressing that doctors are liable only when failing to meet the standard of care. Justice Vohra encouraged doctors to understand the laws governing their profession and remain committed to their noble responsibility as protectors of vulnerable patients.
The Registrar of GNLU, Dr Nitin Malik, delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledging the contributions of all distinguished guests, speakers, and participants to the success of the event. He also thanked the organising committee, faculty, and staff at GNLU for their efforts in creating a memorable and enriching experience.
Panel Discussions
The first day of the conference featured three panel discussions. The first panel, “Decoding the Draft NMC Guidelines: Key Changes and Implications on Healthcare Professionals,” included Dr Alexander Thomas, Dr Shivkumar Utture, Dr Mehul Shah, Mr S. Yashwant Prasad, and Dr Garima Savalia. The discussion examined the relevance of the 2002 Code of Medical Ethics, telemedicine practices, stronger pharmaceutical regulations, and distinctions between Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) and sterilisation.
The second session, “Medical Negligence: Legal Process in Civil and Criminal Cases,” was led by Prof (Dr) S.V. Joga Rao and Mr S. Yashwant Prasad. They discussed the Jacob Mathew case, which clarified the difference between medical and criminal negligence. The session concluded with a call for clearer legal frameworks and greater awareness of the implications of medical negligence.
The third session, “Balancing Compassion and Compliance in End-of-Life Care,” was led by Prof (Dr) Suresh Bada Math. He discussed euthanasia and legal challenges in end-of-life decisions, referencing significant Supreme Court case laws, including the directives on passive euthanasia and prohibitions on active euthanasia.
On the second day, discussions began with a session on “Privacy and Confidentiality in the Digital Era: Legal Implications of the DPDP Act in the Healthcare Sector.” Moderated by Dr Prashant Utage, the panel included Dr Manohar Agnani, Prof (Dr) Suresh Bada Math, and Ms Eshika Phadke. They highlighted the importance of data encryption, balancing regulation with innovation, and ensuring patient data privacy in the digital age.
The next discussion, “Ensuring Workplace Safety in Healthcare: Legal Framework for Addressing Harassment and Violence at Hospitals,” was moderated by Dr Nalini Anand. The panellists explored increasing violence against healthcare professionals and the demand for policies to address this issue.
The final panel, “Documenting Care: The Role of Medical Records and EMRs in Modern Healthcare,” was led by Prof (Dr) O.V. Nandimath. He emphasised optimal documentation practices, ethical regulations, and the importance of legal compliance in medical record-keeping.
The conference concluded with an expert session, “Ethical and Legal Considerations for Healthcare Organisations: Compliance is Key,” led by Dr Milind Antani. He underscored the importance of adhering to medical regulations without compromising ethics. The event ended with a valedictory ceremony featuring Nitin Vohra and Dr Mehul Shah, attended by 110 participants and 102 presenters from diverse professional backgrounds.