Health Bulletin 22/ May/ 2025

Observing that doctors cannot be blamed for every death during treatment, the Kerala High Court recently quashed criminal proceedings against a gastroenterologist, who was accused of medical negligence resulting in the death of a patient.

The allegation against the doctor was that he was negligent in not attending to the patient for urgent direct evaluation, even after the nurse informed him via telephone call about the sudden illness of the patient. It was also alleged that the doctor omitted to do what a medical professional of ordinary sense and prudence would do and thereby, negligently caused the death by not referring the case to a specialist.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued show cause notices to several medical colleges in Bengal after finding out that the faculties at the medical colleges have been "irregular" and the teaching hospitals had an acute shortage of faculty, The Telegraph has reported.

According to the State Health Department sources, among the 38 medical colleges in the state, most of them were issued show-cause notices by the NMC.

The list also included Kolkata-based State-run Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital (NRSMCH). NMC, the Apex Medical Regulator in the Country, reportedly issued a show-cause notice to NRS Medical College, flagging altogether eight deficiencies.

Setting aside a local court's order to register an FIR against a doctor and a police inspector for allegedly preparing a false medical report of an undertrial accused to cover up his injuries caused from a custodial torture, a Delhi court stated that the decision to file an FIR was made without proper analysis or verifying the accused statements.

In a nine-page ruling, Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Kiran Gupta of Patiala House Court said the Magistrate passed the order without properly examining important reports, including an inquiry report and findings from a Medical Board.