Leader of NPF Legislature Party, Kuzholuzo Nienu, initiating discussion on matters of urgent public importance pertaining to “medical negligence”, emphasized on the need to pass the Medical Negligence Act in Nagaland, stating that “negligence and malpractices” have been noticeable ever since the establishment of health care facilities in the state.

Neinu pointed out that both government and private hospitals in the state were operating without the required medical equipment. This, he said, has greatly hampered the health care delivery system and has compelled many patients to seek treatment outside the state.

He said the medical department of the state has also messed up in the posting of medical doctors. Citing an example, he said, “A doctor specialized in anaesthesia has been posted to a hospital where there no surgeon is posted.”

He also pointed out that most of the government doctors are practicing privately and there have been numerous complaints by the patients that they are given preferential treatments and more care in these private practices.

Neinu said doctors have to realise that they are duty bound to look and treat their patients very carefully as they are being paid whether it be in private or government hospitals and that they are not doing any “charitable work”. He added that the basis of a medical negligence suit is still alien to most of the practicing doctors in the state of Nagaland.

Neinu urged the August House to pass the Nagaland Medical Negligence Bill to check medical negligence and malpractices to restore the lost trust and respect in the profession and also to provide the best possible health care delivery in the state.

Minister Health and Family Welfare, Pangnyu Phom, joining in the discussion on medical negligence said that medicine is a noble profession, and the doctors regulate their conduct through a Code of Ethics which is enforced by their self-regulatory body, the Nagaland Medical Council.

He further mentioned that the Council, on receipt of complaints against its members from the public, including patients and their relatives, is expected to conduct enquiries on these complaints; depending on the seriousness of the complaints, the Council has the power to reprimand a practitioner, or suspend or remove his name from its register. Pangnyu also said that there are other legal options also available to aggrieved patients.

He, however, expressed that “it is also important, in our context, that the Nagaland Medical Council (NMC) conducts sufficient training and capacity building of the medical practitioners through continuing medical education and other means.

“This is important so that they are fully updated on the various medical advancements, as well as to refresh that ethical practice, and high standards, should be the cornerstone of medical professionals in the state.”

In conclusion he said that pro-active and more effective self-regulation by the NMC would ensure that people will not approach other forums, including by filing criminal complaints for any alleged negligence.

While it would not be the objective of the government and the society to increase frivolous cases, it would be important to increase awareness on patient’s rights, informed consent and medical records for the doctors as well as general public which the Department of Health & Family Welfare should actively work towards, the health minister stated.

Minister Yollow Konyak, MLA Dr Ngangshi, Advisor Dr Nicky Kire and MLA Dr Chumben Murry also participated in the discussion.