Medical negligence: Health Minister sought 43 reports over past four and half years

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health Minister Veena George sought 43 reports on alleged medical negligence in government hospitals over the past four and a half years, according to a reply under the Right to Information Act. The figures cover the period from June 2021 to November 30, 2025. The data has come out at a time when the Opposition alleges that action often ends with merely seeking reports, even as instances of medical negligence continue to be reported.

During this period, the Health Services Directorate received 19 complaints related to medical negligence. Reports were obtained in only 10 of these cases. Meanwhile, the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) received 25 major complaints related to medical negligence in medical colleges. Reports were sought in 24 cases, and 23 reports were submitted.

The Health Services Directorate said that action was taken against 37 healthcare workers. The DME also stated that action was taken against four doctors and three staff nurses. This includes granting permission to prosecute doctors in the Kozhikode Harshina case and suspending doctors in the incident in Palakkad where Vinodini lost her hand.

The Health Department does not have consolidated data on how many complainants received follow-up treatment. It also lacks records on how many were given financial assistance. The department further clarified that it has not compiled or maintained a comprehensive database on the number of complaints or the details of the actions taken.