95 percent complaints dismissed without probe: Corruption, unlawful practices alleged at WB medical council

Kolkata: Alleging that West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) is involved in "unlawful and unethical activities", a social services organisation, has urged the Chief Minister and Health Minister of the State to intervene.

On the 25th anniversary of the organisation- People for Better Treatment, an open public rally was held recently in front of the Medical Council office, and Dr. Kunal Saha, the President of PBT, led the rally alongside 'victims of medical negligence.'

On this, PBT also submitted a Memorandum to the Chief Minister-Health Minister of the State and WBMC President, demanding answers to 5 specific questions to cleanse the "corrupt medical council and bring an end to the widespread negligent treatment and ethical violations done by the "untouchable" doctors and private hospitals."

In the memorandum, PBT alleged that, as per RTI responses provided by WBMC, more than 95% of the complaints against doctors were dismissed or the negligent doctor went scot-free with a worthless "warning" underscoring the "lack of equitable justice for the victims of medical negligence."

"Why WBMC is not compelled to do investigation of accused doctors in a more fair, impartial and transparent manner with video-record of the entire proceedings for public to see?" the organisation has asked.

The association claimed that while WBMC was established for regulating medical practice and protecting the defenseless patients from the wrath of negligent doctors in the State, over the past four years, "WBMC has turned into a den of corruption as they work primarily to shield their negligent medical colleagues without caring for the lives of the innocent patients."

Apart from the issue of medical negligence, in the memorandum, the organisation alleged other unlawful and unethical activities by the medical council. It pointed out that while there is a provision (under Bengal Medical Act, 1914) for a maximum of only 25 elected or nominated members for WBMC, presently there are 77 doctors (in 15 P&E Committees), and most of these doctor-members were not elected or nominated under any law. "How these unelected/unnominated members are allowed to investigate complaints against negligent doctors?" the organisation questioned.

Further, it highlighted that several WBMC members are still facing trial for serious criminal charges in Bidhannagar Criminal Court including charges for attempting to cause “grievous hurt” and “bodily injury”. In this regard, the association further asked why these members are still being allowed to continue playing major role in WBMC and deciding complaints of "medical negligence".

According to the organisation, even though the law states that complaints of medical/ethical violations against doctors must be decided "within a time limit of 6 months", complaints from countless medical victims are languishing in WBMC for 5-10 years or longer.