New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry is now reviewing the issue of the National Medical Commission (NMC) rejecting appeals filed by non-medical professionals, including patients and their families. This comes after Kerala-based health activist Dr. KV Babu highlighted the matter through a Right to Information (RTI) query, alleging that the NMC was misleading both the Ministry and Parliament.
Responding to his RTI, the Ministry stated on September 19 that the issue is “being examined in consultation with NMC as per statutory provisions.”
Under the NMC Act 2019, only medical practitioners can challenge State Medical Councils’ orders before the Commission. As a result, since replacing the Medical Council of India (MCI), the NMC’s Ethics and Medical Registration Board has rejected more than 160 appeals by patients alleging negligence or misconduct.
This stance has faced criticism, with activists pointing out that the earlier Ethics Regulations of 2002 allowed “any person aggrieved” to file an appeal. Dr. Babu has argued that patients’ rights are being ignored and that the Commission is biased in favor of doctors.
The matter also reached Parliament when AIADMK MP Dr. M. Thambidurai questioned the alleged favoritism and lack of transparency in the NMC. Union Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel, however, stated that no such report had been received. Dr. Babu has since accused the NMC of misguiding the Ministry.
Interestingly, in its September 2024 meeting, the NMC had agreed to entertain all appeals, including those from non-medical complainants, but the rejection of patients’ appeals has continued.
The Ministry is now considering the issue afresh, though an earlier proposal to amend the NMC Act to explicitly allow patients to appeal was put on hold in 2023.
