NMCs Ethics Board rejected a patients medical negligence appeal despite a prior decision and Supreme Court ruling allowing patient appeals. Activists raised concerns over the boards functioning as it remains vacant.

In a shocking move, the National Medical Commission (NMC)s Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) rejected a patients appeal against the Punjab Medical Council on February 21, despite an earlier decision allowing patients to appeal.

Mr. Gokul Chand Aneja from Amritsar had filed an appeal alleging medical negligence leading to his wifes death. Though the NMC had decided in September 2023 to entertain all appeals, the rejection letter cited an outdated rule that only doctors can appeal — a stance struck down by the Supreme Court in 2002. 

With the EMRB currently vacant, questions have arisen about who issued the rejection. Activists called the move "a shocking example of NMCs casual approach," pointing out that the letter was copy-pasted from a previous 2022 rejection.

(Source:https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nmc-overrules-scs-and-its-own-decision-rejects-patients-appeal/articleshowprint/118827380.cms?val=3728 )