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New Delhi: In a recent session of the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Health, Smt. Anupriya Patel, addressed pressing questions on medical negligence in India. The Minister clarified that comprehensive data on medical negligence cases—such as those resulting in loss of life or physical disabilities—is not maintained at the central level.
The inquiry, led by MP Dr. Bachhav Shobha Dinesh, sought detailed information on:
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State and Union Territory-wise records of medical negligence cases over the past ten years.
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The percentage of cases leading to conviction and the number of doctors found guilty of professional misconduct.
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Whether the Health Ministry would consider directing states to maintain and compile such data centrally to help combat medical negligence.
Minister Patel stated that since health is a state subject, disciplinary matters regarding professional or ethical misconduct by registered medical practitioners are handled by the respective State Medical Councils (SMCs) and the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019. Both bodies are empowered to take action, following due process, including giving doctors an opportunity to be heard and allowing appeals against decisions.
She reiterated, “Data on medical negligence cases filed in the country is not maintained centrally.” The Ministry also refuted claims of bias or transparency issues within the National Medical Commission, stating that no such reports have been received.
The Ethics Board of the NMC continues to regulate professional conduct and uphold medical ethics, with mechanisms for handling complaints of misconduct outlined in Clause 8.2 of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on responses provided by government officials in Parliament and publicly available information. For any individual case or legal guidance, please consult a qualified professional. Statistics and statements are as per official sources as of August 2025 and may be subject to change.
