ICMR guideline on Covid deaths sparks off a row

A DEBATE is on whether the highlighting of secondary causes in case of patients with multiple conditions like diabetes, hypertension, cancer and other lifethreatening diseases, is to bring down the number of deaths.

The guidelines on recording the cause of death issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research, doctors state, is highlighting comorbid conditions of the patient whereas the original cause of death is Covid 19.

A debate is on whether the highlighting of secondary causes in case of patients with multiple conditions like diabetes, hypertension, cancer and other life-threatening diseases, is to bring down the number of deaths.

Dr T. Narsinga Reddy, national vice-president of the Indian Medical Association, says:

“Hospitals have to record each death and it is very clear that patients who have been admitted for Covid-19 have died due to the complications caused by the virus. The format of secondary conditions recording is only to understand who had what complications.”

Some doctors see this as an attempt to keep the numbers of reported Covid-19 deaths low. Others argue that the ICMR cannot issue guidelines and that it is the Medical Council of India that must do so. The ICMR is a statutory body while the MCI is a regulatory body and looks after medical education and ethics.

A senior doctor on condition of anonymity said, “We need clarity as we must not be pulled up for recording a Covid-19 death in the death certificate.” With testing and treating facilities being provided in private hospitals, the reported numbers are bound to rise in the state and doctors want to be careful in reporting and not be pulled up.