Parliament Question: Complaints of medical negligence

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE RAJYASABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 2812 TOBE ANSWERED ON17TH MARCH, 2026 COMPLAINTS OFMEDICALNEGLIGENCE 2812DR. V.SIVADASAN: Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased tostate: (a) the number of complaints received during the last five years relating to medical negligence, including cases of retained surgical instruments, sponges or other foreign objects left in patients’ bodies after surgery, in medical institutions under the Central Government, year-wise; (b) the hospital-wise data with category-wise break-up of such complaints, including surgical negligence, diagnostic errors, medication errors, post-operative complications and other forms of allegednegligence; and (c) the action taken on these complaints, including disciplinary proceedings against medical personnel, compensation awarded to patients, cases referred to the National Medical Commission or otherauthoritiesand the status thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTEROFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL) (a) to (c): National Medical Commission Act, 2019 empowers State Medical Council (SMC)/Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) to take disciplinary action in respect of any professional or ethical misconduct by a registered medical practitioner in accordance with the regulations/guidelines framed under the Act. Accordingly, the NMC forwards the complainttoconcerned StateHealthDepartmentsandSMCs for appropriate action. The act provides for an opportunity of hearing to the RMP before taking any action against him. Provision for an appeal against the decision of SMC/EMRB has also been made. Data onmedicalnegligence cases filedinthe countryisnot maintainedcentrally inNMC. *****