MCCD in India

• Medical Certification of Cause of Death [MCCD] scheme was proposed by WHO as a tool to obtain scientific and reliable information in terms of causes of mortality

• It was accepted formally by the Government of India as The Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969

 MCCD scheme

• Under Registration of Births & Deaths Act, 1969

1. All hospitals are required to submit cause of death data

2. All hospitals will be prescribed punitive action for neglect / refusal of the above

• Implementation of MCCD scheme is being done in a phased manner since the 1970s

• As of date about 20% of hospitals across the country have been covered under MCCD

Flow of activities in MCCD

Legal issues with MCCD

Often relatives may plead, persuade, pressurize, offer a Price or threaten to obtain a death certificate or make changes to the information that needs to be written on DC.  In such scenarios, remember that

1. Death certificate is legal document which is a proof of death

2. Failure to provide death certificate and cause of death or filling incorrect information can lead to prosecution of the physician under section 39 CrPC, 175 IPC or 176 IPC

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