DMC Criticized for Laxity in Handling Quackery and Medical Negligence Complaints
New Delhi: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, in its latest report on Public Health Infrastructure and Management of Health Services, has exposed major lapses in the Delhi Medical Council (DMC), including its failure to tackle quackery and address medical negligence complaints.
The report revealed that as of May 2022, a staggering 42% of doctors in Delhi had not renewed their licenses, raising concerns about regulatory oversight in the capital’s medical sector.
Key Findings of the CAG Report
✔ 42% of Doctors Haven’t Renewed Their Licenses
Out of 1,34,958 Registered Medical Practitioners (RMPs) in Delhi, 56,742 doctors had not renewed their registration with DMC, despite the requirement to do so every five years.
✔ Failure to Act Against Quacks
- The DMC did not conduct any surprise inspections to identify unqualified medical practitioners.
- No FIRs were registered against illegal practitioners, despite complaints.
- Only 12% of identified quacks faced police action between 2016-2022.
- The Anti-Quack Response Team (AQRT) failed to conduct any raids or inspections.
✔ Laxity in Handling Medical Negligence Complaints
- 1,452 complaints were received from 2016-2021, but many remained unresolved for over 660 days.
- Some complaints were delayed due to council inaction, not the COVID-19 pandemic, as per CAG.
Delhi Govt Threatens Action Against DMC
Following the report, the Delhi Health and Family Welfare Department issued a show-cause notice to the DMC, warning of disciplinary action under the Delhi Medical Council Act, 1997.
The government also sought an explanation regarding allegations of financial misconduct, illegal tenure extensions, and recruitment violations against top DMC officials, including President Dr Arun Gupta, Vice-President Dr Naresh Chawla, and Registrar Dr Girish Tyagi.
CAG Slams DMC’s Justifications
DMC attributed the delays in complaint resolutions to COVID-19 disruptions and delayed inspections by district medical officers. However, the CAG dismissed these excuses, stating that most cases were pre-pandemic and that it remains DMC’s responsibility to regulate medical practice.
Concerns Over Public Health and Regulatory Oversight
The report paints a worrying picture of Delhi’s healthcare governance, where thousands of doctors practice without renewed licenses, quacks operate with impunity, and medical negligence cases remain unresolved for years. With the Delhi government now taking action, the future of DMC’s leadership and regulatory framework remains uncertain.
