New Delhi Special Correspondent: Arun Sharma

The Delhi Medical Council (DMC), the statutory body responsible for regulating medical practice and addressing patient grievances in the capital, has remained non-functional for nearly two months, leaving hundreds of complaints pending and raising serious concerns about oversight in the healthcare system.


Following the dissolution of the council, delays in constituting a new governing body have stalled not only disciplinary proceedings but also key administrative functions such as doctor registrations and inquiry processes.


Hundreds of Complaints Piling Up
According to sources, nearly 100 complaints are being added every month since the council was dissolved. In total, an estimated 1,800 to 2,000 cases are reportedly pending at various stages, including several involving allegations of medical negligence.
With no active council in place, patients and their families are left waiting without clarity on when their grievances will be addressed.


What Led to the Paralysis
The council was dissolved following an order by the Health Department. While the process to reconstitute the DMC is said to be underway, it has yet to be finalized. In the meantime, there is no fully empowered body to conduct hearings or pass disciplinary orders.


The DMC’s primary mandate includes:
Investigating complaints against medical practitioners
Granting and renewing medical registrations
Taking disciplinary action in cases of professional misconduct
All these processes have been significantly disrupted in the absence of a functional council.
Impact on Oversight and Accountability
Experts warn that the prolonged vacuum could weaken regulatory oversight in the healthcare sector. Key concerns include:
Delayed inquiries into medical negligence cases
Backlog in registration and renewal of doctors
Suspension of disciplinary action mechanisms
Health policy observers caution that continued delays may erode public trust in the system designed to safeguard patient rights and medical ethics.


Government Response
Officials from the Health Department have stated that the process of forming a new council is in its final stages and that the DMC will be reconstituted soon. They claim that essential work is being handled under interim arrangements.
However, patient advocacy groups allege that, in practice, grievance redressal has come to a near standstill, causing significant delays in justice for affected families.


Why the DMC Matters
The Delhi Medical Council plays a critical role in maintaining medical ethics, professional standards, and patient safety in the capital. Its absence creates a regulatory vacuum at a time when accountability in healthcare remains paramount.
Until a new council is formally constituted, patients’ hopes for timely redressal risk remaining confined to paperwork—raising pressing questions about governance and oversight in Delhi’s healthcare system.