Hyderabad: The Telangana Government Doctors Association (TGGDA) has strongly opposed the mandatory implementation of a facial recognition-based attendance system for government doctors in the state, raising concerns over privacy, operational feasibility, and the psychological impact on the medical community.
In a detailed representation to the chairman of the National Medical Commission (NMC), the association urged reconsideration or exemption from the Aadhaar-enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) that relies on facial recognition. “While we fully support accountability and transparency in public service, the current system raises serious concerns,” the letter stated.
The association pointed out that linking facial recognition with Aadhaar without a comprehensive data protection law threatens individual privacy. It also noted technical issues such as poor internet connectivity, server downtimes, and facial mismatches that have led to unwarranted penalties.
Dr B. Narahari, the state president of TGGDA, said, “Doctors often work in high-pressure environments, across emergency services and rural areas. A rigid system like this undermines not just our professional autonomy, but also our dignity.”
The letter argued that the current attendance mechanisms are already sufficient to monitor performance and warned that adding a layer of biometric surveillance could be counterproductive. It further flagged the mental health impact of such systems, stating that coercive implementation erodes morale and fosters mistrust among overburdened professionals.
“The system is being forced upon doctors without consultation. We urge the NMC to involve stakeholders like medical associations before rolling out such sweeping changes,” said Dr R. Lalu Prasad Rathod, state secretary general.
The TGGDA urged the NMC to advocate alternative, less intrusive attendance measures that respect the unique demands of medical service. The association also appealed for a compassionate review, noting that doctors, already stretched thin, deserve systems that support rather than strain them.
