YouTube, other platforms not adequate for training of hair transplant, aesthetic procedures: NMC

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has released recommendations on cosmetic operations, warning that watching videos on YouTube or other platforms is insufficient preparation for performing aesthetic procedures such as hair transplant.

“It may be noted that watching in workshops or on YouTube or similar platforms is not adequate training to start aesthetic surgery or including hair transplant,” said Yogendra Malik, Member, Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB), NMC.
“Surgical assistant/technicians should perform tasks only under the supervision of an RMP,” said the NMC official.

NMC has also mentioned that aesthetic procedures, including hair transplants, are not emergency surgery hence there is no case of allowing any untrained person to do it.

“Aesthetic procedures including hair transplants are not an emergency surgery and hence there is no case for allowing any untrained person to do it under the pretext of “exceptional circumstances,” said the Commission.

According to the Commission, because hair transplantation is an aesthetic procedure, it must be conducted by RMPs such as certified dermatologists or trained surgeons. Nurses, lab technicians, and pharmacists are examples of appropriate assistants or OT technicians. However, the Commission stated that they must be given organised, systematic, and adequate training (responsibility will be with the RMP) in all elements of both cosmetic surgery and disinfection, sterilisation, patient communication, and so forth.

The daycare theatre of a hospital/clinic doing hair transplant surgery should be equipped with capabilities for monitoring and handling crises, such as emergency medicines, a Boyles machine, intubation sets, and an ambu bag.