After HC Nudge, Odisha Govt Orders All Doctors To Write Prescriptions & Medico-Legal Docs In Legible Handwriting Or In Printed Form

After an order passed by the Orissa High Court last week, the Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha has passed an 'Office Order' directing all concerned both in Government and private health sector to write prescriptions and medico-legal documents in legible handwriting or in printed form.

On 4^th January, while highlighting the difficulty faced by the judicial officers to comprehend “zig zag handwriting” of doctors, the Single Bench of Dr. Justice Sanjeeb Kumar Panigrahi had observed:

“In many cases, the casual approach of most of the doctors while writing the post-mortem report is affecting the comprehension medico-legal documents badly and the judicial system finds it very difficult to read those letters and come to a definite conclusion.”

The Court was hearing a case filed by one Rasananda Bhoi, who had filed the writ petition seeking direction to the State to provide him ex-gratia compensation as his son had died of snake biting.

In a previous order, the Court had directed the doctor, who conducted the post-mortem examination over the dead body of the deceased, to remain present in virtual mode and render his opinion as to cause of the death.

In compliance of the said direction, the doctor appeared before the Court in virtual mode and presented his opinion in the form prescribed. However, when the Court attempted to read the opinion, it was unable to comprehend anything as the handwriting was not legible.

Being irked by such illegible handwriting, the Court had remarked:

“The said opinion was written under the head “MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INJURY OR DISEASE”. Under such head, he has written something which is not legible and cannot be comprehended in ordinary course of reading unless the writer himself or handwriting expert is invited to examine such description,”

The Court had opined that doctors are required to change their attitude and write either in capital letter or in a typed form or in good handwriting so that the judicial system does not suffer from unnecessary fatigue in reading their handwriting.

It had also ordered the Chief Secretary to pass a circular to all the Medical Centres, Private Clinics and Medical Colleges and Hospitals directing them to write in proper handwriting or in a typed form when they are prescribing medicine or writing some medico-legal reports.

Pursuant to such direction of the High Court, the Chief Secretary, on Thursday i.e. 11.01.2024, urgently passed the following directions to all the doctors and other people concerned in the health sector:

“a. All Registered Medical Practitioners / Medical Officers of Govt. Peripheral health care facilities/ Medical College Hospitals, Private Clinics and Pvt. Medical Colleges are to write prescription in proper legible handwriting or in typed form as per guideline of NMC (Chapter 2-4B/ Notification No 12013 Dt.23.05.2022).

b. The medico legal reports & post-mortem reports are to be written either in capital letter or in a typed form or in good legible handwriting to ensure appreciation of evidence in the judicial system and to be uploaded in MLOS.”

The above order came into effect immediately.

Click Here To Read/Download Order