In order to reduce the number of litigations pertaining to medical negligence, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) will be setting up a grievance cell.
Although it is not a statutory body, patients that have a problem with their doctors or the method of treatment can approach the grievance cell, according to K.K. Agarwal, General Secretary Elect of the IMA. “A majority of cases that end up in court can be settled through mediation, so we decided to start this cell,” Dr. Agarwal said. “The grievance cell will also help to reduce patient dissatisfaction and they will also be able to receive justice faster.”
“The first grievance cell will be set up in New Delhi, and be expanded to the rest of the country later,” Dr. Agarwal said. In addition to the mediation cell, the IMA will also be preparing training modules for bioethics for practicing doctors, according to Marthanda Pillai, President Elect of the IMA. “These modules will be set up with the help of UNESCO and will be distributed not only to undergraduate students and medical teachers, but also to practicing doctors.”
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“There are a number of emerging fields such as organ transplantation, egg donation, surrogacy and euthanasia that need solid ethical knowledge. These modules will be prepared with the help of experts in the field and based on the Medical Council of India Ethical Council’s decisions and also case studies,” he said.