IMA forms public grievances committee

Indian Medical Association (IMA), Punjab, has formed a public grievance committee to look into the complaints of the patients or their relatives regarding treatments in the hospitals or by the doctors. Dr Narotam Dewan, general and laparoscopic surgeon, Dewan Hospital and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery Centre, Ludhiana, has been appointed as chairman of the committee.

Indian Medical Association (IMA), Punjab, has formed a public grievance committee to look into the complaints of the patients or their relatives regarding treatments in the hospitals or by the doctors.

Dr Narotam Dewan, general and laparoscopic surgeon, Dewan Hospital and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery Centre, Ludhiana, has been appointed as chairman of the committee.

IMA, Punjab, general secretary Dr Navjot Dhaiya informed about the committee to the members and the district IMA body. The committee includes seven doctors from different districts of Punjab, including chairman Dr Narotam Dewan from Ludhiana and general secretary Dr Suni Datt from Machiwara.

Its pertinent to mention that last year, several protests took place in Ludhiana and other districts of the state against the hospitals or doctors for alleged negligence while treatments or other malpractices. This led to problem to the hospital staff as well as the patients and others.

Dr Narotam Dewan said, “The committee's main task will be to look into the medical related grievances of the people. Investigation will be done by the committee and action will be taken accordingly.” IMA also has the right to cancel the registration of the doctors, if they are found guilty during investigation.

Dr Dewan said, “Besides complaints by the people, committee can also take suo-motto of the public health problems and can form study groups to know the cause of the problem. The results of the study groups will be given to the related authorities for action.”

The information about the committee and its members are provided on the IMA Punjab website. Registered doctors will also be asked to make people aware about this committee, said Dr Dewan.