Medical Complaints

Over the past 20 years, medical technology has seen a tremendous growth. According to a recent study, medical technology has evolved more in the last 20 years than in the past thousand years. The same growth is also imminent in the total number of hospitals being established.

So far there are a total number of 4,419 hospitals in India with more than 400,000 beds for patients. Technologies such as Robotic surgery which were unheard of are soon going to become a common sight. X-Ray, CT & MRI scans are the most commonly used technologies by the doctors today.

Since everything has its own disadvantages along with the advantages, medical development and its related services too have shown a negative impact in recent years. It is observed that ample amounts of medical complaints are being filed by the consumers regarding the medical services that they have taken, just because of medical negligence by doctors or care takers.

There have been many consumer complaints registered against hospitals and medical professionals regarding medical negligence, improper diagnosis, unfair billing for medical services and many more. These complaints have increased drastically over the past years in Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, New Delhi, Chennai and almost all the cities in India.

Over the past few years, medical negligence has become a quite common term. Medical negligence or Medical malpractice, as the term suggests, relates to the process when a medical or health care professional deviates from standards in his or her profession thereby causing grievous injury to the patient.

Medical negligence can be seen in various cases like when reasonable care is not taken during operations, diagnosis or even during the delivery of the child. Many doctors purposely practice medical negligence as a way to extract more money from the patient.

In this article, we have covered the common medical complaints, hospital complaints and complaints against doctors that are faced by patients and how you can resolve them.

But before discussing medical complaints in detail, let's know more about some of the most famous hospitals in India.

Famous Hospitals in India

1. AIIMS, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi

AIIMS has some of the best doctors and all sorts of facilities required in medical research. Not only that, AIIMS is also the foremost as well as prestigious training institute for medical science. Students from all over India come here to study. Even patients from all over India come here for advanced treatment for critical illnesses. The main reason for it is that people who belong to below poverty line can afford the medical expenses here. This is a government hospital which has been also appreciated internationally. India Today Group announced AIIMS as the best hospital in India in 2014.

2. Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi

Apollo Hospital is considered as the pioneer of the healthcare services provided all over Asia. Indraprastha Apollo hospital has maintained its excellence in education, research and healthcare to serve humanity better. The main aim of this organization is to provide medical services to its patients that are of international standard. Apollo Hospital is also known for its technological superiority. It is specialized in Cancer treatment, Orthopaedics, Neuro sciences, Organ transplantation, and Cardiac sciences.

3. Christian Medical College, Vellore
Christian Medical College has the foremost position in the field of medical science. The use of latest technologies, providing affordable treatment costs and distinctive features of CMC sanitary measures makes it unique. CMC specializes in advanced therapeutic services, Neuro sciences, Gastroenterology and Haematology. CMC is known for its world-class services related to healthcare which is under the reach of the poor section of the society. It has 2600 beds along with 11 Intensive Care Units (ICUs). There are more than 1500 doctors and more than 9000 medical staff to provide the best service to each patient. CMC has also achieved recognition throughout the world as the medical and research centre.

4. Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai
Tata Memorial Hospital is popular for its well-known cancer treatment. It is situated in Mumbai and is specialized in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia treatment. Tata Memorial Hospital is also called Cancer Research Centre (CRC). Other specialized services provided by the Tata Memorial hospital are blood tests, Operation theatre, Hemato Oncology, ICU and P.E.T scanner. It is associated with the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer or ACTREC. It has been recognized nationally for its world-class treatment, well-equipped infrastructure and latest technologies.

5. Fortis Hospital, Kolkata
Fortis Hospital is situated in Kolkata. It has one of the best advanced medical facilities and possesses world-class infrastructure. It provides 24 hours emergency service to the critical patients. Fortis hospital is specialized in cardiology, nephrology and urology. The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the hospital has a Coronary Care Unit, and Medical Intensive Care Unit. The hospital is well-furnished with more than 70 beds. The excellent infrastructure and well-trained doctors and medical staff have made it one of the best hospitals in the country.

6. Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai
Lilavati Hospital is a famous multi specialty hospital in India. The quality of healthcare services has attracted many patients from around the world. The aim of the hospital is to provide its patients more than just treatment and healthcare but also the touch of humanity. It was set up in 1997 and is managed by Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust. It has more than 300 beds and 12 operation theaters in it.

Types of Medical Complaints

We at Voxya generally receive around hundreds of medical complaints every month relating to medical negligence or complaints about doctors exaggerating how they could have performed better or how the patients are being overcharged for the facilities. The most common medical complaints made by patients include poor nursing staff, wrong medicine packages delivered, intentionally looting customers, medical negligence etc. Some of the most common and frequent medical complaints by patients in cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, Pune and Kolkata are given below:

Medical Negligence

Medical negligence is the act of performing responsibilities by doctor, surgeon, dentist, nurse and any other medical professional in such a way that it deviates from the accepted standard of medical or healthcare. For an example, if a doctor provides sub-standard treatment in respect to the accepted medical standard, then it would be assumed that the doctor has failed to perform his or her duty and it can be declared as negligence.

There are times when medical negligence becomes medical malpractice when the below standard treatment of the doctor causes any injury to the patient and the condition of the patient becomes worse. Sometimes due to negligence by doctors, unexpected complications arise which requires additional health treatment in order to cure the patient.

Improper Diagnosis

Improper diagnosis is one of the most common medical complaints as reported by patients in India. It is said that an improper diagnosis is done when a competent doctor has conducted "differential diagnosis" which could be questioned and opined by the experts in this field.

Firstly a doctor lists the possible medical issues that the patient can have. Then tests are conducted on the patient and finally a possible definitive medical diagnosis would be determined by the doctor. After taking up the diagnosis, if the doctor fails to achieve the expected degree of care, then the patient must prove it. Doctors may fail to achieve the medical standard of care in many ways. For an instance, the doctor might fail to recognize and realize the urgency of one or more possible medical problems and hence delay in the diagnosis & treatment is caused. A nurse could fail to provide appropriate diagnostic medication while altering the patient’s response to the medication and misleading the doctor to assume the wrong conclusion. In such cases, the consumer has the right to file a complaint against the medical professionals as per Consumer Protection Act.

Medicine Delivery issues

Medicine delivery refers to the distribution of medicine through medical professionals, representatives and other kinds of distributors. The most common issue or grievance regarding medicine delivery is that it is not delivered on time.

There are cases when the required medicines are not available at the stores or in the medical institutions. Even there are people who take advantage of this urgency and sell the medicine at a higher rate. Also in today's digital world, patients are buying medicines online but many times they are unable to get these medicines delivered to them on time which causes inconvenience and medical complications. Now-a-days a lot of medicine delivery complaints are filed by consumers who are opting to buy medicines online due to COVID pandemic.

Wrong Treatment

Wrong treatment is another frequent medical complaint, similar to medical negligence by doctor. When an individual opts for services in any medical room, clinic or hospital, the initial step after admission is the diagnosis required. It is critical yet important to diagnose the symptoms correctly and eventually provide proper medical treatment to the patients.

But if the patient is not treated accordingly due to any negligence in the diagnosis, the doctor or the hospital would be liable for any further damages caused as a result of wrong treatment.

There are even cases where wrong treatment has been done intentionally by the doctor or hospital in order to force the patient to take more and more treatments and tests. Also, the medical negligence can result in pursuing the wrong treatment by the medical professionals.

In any of the above circumstances, the medical entities are liable and the patients can register a complaint against any of these issues faced. If the claims of the complaint are found to be justified then further action could be taken with the help of consumer court or consumer forum.

Unjustified Bills

Often it is observed that medical bills do not show the exact reason for which the money was charged. There can be cases where itemized bills show charges that come from nowhere. Some cases are where medical bills show services which were not even provided to the patient or the service is included in the bill but was not informed and was not supposed to be given by the hospital or doctor.

For instance, one patient received a bill for leg surgery that included charges for blood tests of the newborn.

The tricky part applied in these bills is the technical language that most of the people are unaware of. This is why there remains the tendency to overlook the charges which are included falsely. Many times, people do not realize and they just pay for it.

For any of the issues mentioned above, a patient can register a complaint against the hospital or doctor.

How to resolve medical complaints?

To protect the consumer rights in respect to the rights of the patients, Consumer Protection Act (CPA) was formulated in 1986 and the medical profession was brought under the purview of the act in 1995. All the patients who are making payments for any health services were recognized under the definition of “Consumer” in this Act as a step towards consumer protection.

If you have a complaint regarding the improper care in the hospital then you should contact the State Survey Agency. If you have a complaint about the poor conditions of the hospital you can contact the State Department of Health Services. However, if you have a complaint against any particular doctor of the hospital then you should contact the State Medical Board.

In situations where hospitals or medical professionals have ignored and rejected the claims of the consumers, they can exercise their consumer rights and take their case to consumer forums. Consumers can register a complaint in the nearest police station and the State Medical Council.

Moreover, if the main aim of the patient is to seek compensation, then a patient should file a consumer complaint as this way the case can be finished at the earliest possible date.

In order to validate the complaint the consumer needs to collect all the medical records they have received. According to the Medical Council of India, the patient is supposed to get all medical records within 72 hours from the time and date of the appointment.

1. File a complaint with Police & State Medical Council:

A complaint must be filed against any kind of medical negligence with the local police and the State Medical Council. The police are supposed to send it to the State Medical Council first. The Council then checks if the complaint is justified or not and a case is transferred to different consumer courts according to the nature of the case.

If the council finds out that the patient's condition is serious then the doctor’s license is suspended for a particular period and according to proof and witnesses, judgment is given.

If the consumer is not satisfied with the judgment given by the council then it can appeal to the Medical Council of India. If still the consumer is not happy with the judgment then they can appeal for their disputes to the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission.

2. Send Legal Notice:
A patient can send legal notice to Doctors or Hospitals in case they are unable to resolve his complaint via Medical Council. Taking legal action is one of the efficient ways to handle the issue legally. Check below to know how to send a legal notice to a doctor / hospital?

Step 1: Firstly, get a legal notice drafted by a lawyer.
Step 2: Check it properly and make sure it is signed by a lawyer.
Step 3: Keep a copy of it for future purposes.
Step 4: Send the legal notice to the Doctor / Hospital by registered post.
Step 5: Keep the slip or delivery report for evidence.

3. File consumer forum case:
Consumer forum deals with consumer complaints and you should approach the consumer forum if you feel that your rights as a consumer have been violated. The consumer courts help the patients to get the eligible compensation for the damage caused to them. Please note that consumer courts can not punish the doctor or medical practitioner who is guilty, it can only provide the compensation.

If a doctor or a hospital is not responding to your complaints even after sending legal notice by a lawyer then you should file a case against them in a consumer court.

Here is how you can file a case in the consumer court?

Step 1: Intimate the aggrieved party via legal notice.
Step 2: Draft the consumer complaint
Step 3: Attach all the relevant documents and proofs to support your complaint.
Step 4: Select the appropriate consumer court for filing the complaint.
Step 5: Pay the prescribed court fee that is required to be paid along with the complaint.
Step 6: Submit the case along with the affidavit & fees in the court.

If you feel uncomfortable doing all this yourself, then you should use the services provided by Voxya to take legal action against the doctor or hospital. We can send Legal Notice and prepare a Case for filing in consumer court.

Most Common Issue Reported for Medical Complaints

Medical Negligence

Medicine Delivery issues

Unjustified Bills

Improper Diagnosis

Wrong treatment

Package not getting delivered (HealthKart) ^Open

I placed an order on Healthkart which was supposed to be delivered on **th Nov. But the product is not getting delivered, it is stuck somewhere in Bangalore facility for more tha * days now. Further, Healthkart is not canceling the order as wel...

Nov 23, 2023 by Anurag Gupta

Not atending a serious condition of a small girl burn by the fire and very bad behaviour by the dr p (SMS hospital Jaipur ) ^Open

Not attending a serious condition small * years girl by the dr p k arya( emergency ward sms hospital)and use very bad language and say go out side from this hospital please take a action for this type of bad doctors...

Nov 12, 2023 by Ajay gupta

Health insurance got rejected (Manipal Cigna Health insurance ) ^Open

Rejected claim on a baseless thing. ...

Oct 30, 2023 by Devika

Medical negligence (Girraj goyal eye hospital) ^Open

A fine stone fell into my left eye on * oct **** and i visited girraj goyal eye hospital for the treatment and doctor girraj failed to remove that stone and pinch my left eye so hard that its small blood vessels broke down and it got injured an...

Oct 23, 2023 by Nitesh yadav

Poor customer service and misleading customers (Toothsi AMPA orthodontics ) ^Open

They made me book the teeth aligner in a very short time. I made the full payment, after that I learnt a procedure called IPR has to be performed on my teeth in which my teeth have to be chipped from the sides. Isnt this an important info that ...

Oct 20, 2023 by Snigdha Samantaray

Defective product SKIN ALIVE CREAM (Ultratech Pharmaceuticals) ^Open

My name is Anjani Chaubey. My mobile number is ********** . I live at Indore(M.P.). I purchased Skin Alive Cream, manufactured by Ultratech Pharmaceuticals, District- Solan (Himachal Pradesh) and marketed by Right Vision Pharma, Mumbai, for r...

Oct 16, 2023 by Radheyshyam Chaubey

Wrong dental treatment and also Legal action (White Dental Healthcare) ^Open

Me and my sister got treatments from White dental clinic, Indirapuram. I had a root canal treatment whose crown was not made properly that I had to change after going to Germany. I have the receipt for the same. Also, he did the fillings but di...

Sep 20, 2023 by Vidit goyal

Netmeds com No Refund received of payment (Nedmeds) ^Open

I have booked a diagnostic service on Netmeds.com on Sept ** Order ID=DIAG************* and paid *** rupees from my netbanking which was debited but the order didinot created or acknowledge thorugh email or sms. No one even bothered to call for...

Sep 19, 2023 by Prema Kumari

Excessive charges for treatment (Aster Hospitals Jp Nagar Bangalore) ^Open

This is in regard to my ** year old Dad, Mr Jagannatha Sharma (UHID: *********) recent admission and treatment at Aster RV hospital in July. My dad suffers from Chronic Liver disease (NASH) and had undergone TIPSS procedure in June at HCG hosp...

Sep 08, 2023 by Chakrabhavi G Dileep Sharma

Illtreatment and physical torture of my aged Father in B R Singh Hospital Kolkata (B R Singh Hospital) ^Open

It is related to my fathers treatment, rather ill treatment at railway hospital and bad behaviour of doctors. My father is suffering from dimentia and do not remember anything, even stopped talking completely. Recently we admitted my father in...

Sep 07, 2023 by SOURAV DUTTA

Did not inform about IPR before making the payment (Toothsi) ^Open

In the initial conversation with Dr. Amrutha on a video call I particularly asked about IPR where I was told that toothsi aligners are easy like wearing a specs. However after the payment was done I was told about IPR. Now I am in my last trime...

Aug 19, 2023 by Fathima Salma

Blood test and other test report not delivered on time (Lifecare diagnostics) ^Open

We got blood test done for my wife in the morning * am today ,who has kindly infection and very critical from them and had an appointment tomorrow moring with the doctor to get her issue operated if suggest in the report and by the doctor , but...

Aug 15, 2023 by Smruti bansod

Reimbursement rejection (Star Health Allied Insurance Company) ^Open

I have taken a premium called Star Women Policy( It covers for my life and my son) , It’s three year policy I am paying premium every quarterly Recently , I have applied for claim for my son discharged bills but they have rejected saying t...

Aug 14, 2023 by Lepakshi K

Mother wrongly diagnosed and assumed as gestational diabetes and NEONATES got GRBS prick s for 4 tim (Rainbow hospital Hyderguda Hyderabad ) ^Open

Hello We joined in Rainbow hospital ,hyderaguda branch Hyderabad on ** th July for Caesarian delivery .Mother was treated with Caesarian section and had Twins . She didn't have diabetes before ,during or after pregnancy .But hospital Paediat...

Aug 05, 2023 by Janardhan goud

Reimbursement Claim Rejected By Medi Assist TPA (Medi Assist India Tpa Private Limited) ^Open

I received an SMS on *th July **** from Medi Assist TPA that my reimbursement claim for INR *****/- has been processed for INR ****/-. Medi Assist TPA rejected the balance reimbursement claim of INR *****/- for the CT Coronary Angiogram procedu...

Jul 26, 2023 by Naveen Mukund Kamath

Reimbursement Claim Not Paid For CT Coronary Angiogram Procedure Claim ID (Medi Assist India Tpa Private Limited) ^Open

Jul 26, 2023 by Naveen Mukund Kamath

Refund of booking amount (Toothsi aligners) ^Open

After watching an ad for free consultation by tootshi, I called them up for my dental checkup. After dental check up, their representative gave me an exorbitant price estimate of Rs. *****/-for dental alignment work. However, they also give you...

Jul 22, 2023 by Himanshi chandra

Negligence of medical treatment (Capital Hospital (Orissa)) ^Open

Respected Sir/Ma'am, Greetings! I had a severe accident on **/**/**** near Khandagiri Chhak, I went to the Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar for the treatment. The duty doctor (name unknown )told me that there's a fracture in my collarbone and s...

Jul 03, 2023 by Chittaranjan Patra

INSURANCE CLAIM REJECTED (Star Health Allied Insurance Company) ^Open

CASE DETAILS SUBJECT: CLAIM FOR ELBOW REVISION OPERATION EXPENSES REJECTED BY STAR HEALTH INSURANCE CO. AND THREAT BY COMPANY TO DISCONTINUE COVERAGE. Background info: The operation was for removing a previously implanted metallic elbow j...

Jul 03, 2023 by ALWYN PETER RODRIGUES

Wrong damaged item received (Netmeds.com) ^Open

I ordered Folliserum. Received Follirich. It was damaged. I had sent pictures of damaged, wrong medicine to the company id. the company claims that it has not received it and is fooling me. I have attached the mails of pictures of the damage...

Jun 30, 2023 by Parvathy Ramachandran

I received cracked bottle of Syzygium Jambolanum Q (Wilmar Schwabe India) ^Closed

I ordered multiple medicine bottle. One of the package contained * glass bottle **ml each. One bottle was cracked and medicine was spilled on the label and liquid level was less in the bottle. I filed complaint to Healthmug on ** Sep **** as so...

Oct 07, 2023 by Gaurav Sonar

Hair botox (Complexion ) ^Closed

They spoiled my hair , promised me with a hair treat that makes your hair straight but didn’t happen like that then they promised to re do my hair which again they denied ...

Sep 15, 2023 by Divya jain

Poor orthodontics treatment (Aastha Hospital Hisar Near sewak sabha Hospital Rishi Nagar Hisar 125001) ^Closed

I have done orthodontics treatment for Astha dental clinic Hisar from Dr. Amit Pliania.He extracted * teeth for the Braces treatment.He said that the gap are filled when teeth move backwards.But after completion of treatment he leaves a huge ga...

Aug 10, 2023 by Priyanka Poonia

Product Missing Amount not Refunded since more than 2 months (Herbalife nutrition) ^Closed

Respected sir/ma'am Myself Kailash Puri Goswami my Associate IDW*C*******. I ordered a Herbalife product by the suggestion of Ritu Jain Ma'am for FAT Loss and ordered for the same on **th May,**** by order no. ********** and Invoice no. JA****...

Aug 08, 2023 by Kailash Puri Goswami

Complaint Regarding Unfair Treatment Unethical Trade Practices and Forced Treatment (Toothsi) ^Closed

Iam writing to seek your legal counsel and representation regarding a distressing matter I encountered with Tootshi (makeo)., a company involved in dental aligner sales. It has come to my attention that their business practices involve unfair t...

Aug 06, 2023 by Dhileep Kumar

Misinformation and fraud (Pristym care) ^Closed

The hospital where me and my family was admitted, didn't provide the services as they told before. The pristym care employee told me that the patient will be discharged in * hr but the staff was not present, not even the doctor was available on...

Jun 08, 2023 by Ahmed

Defective product (Muscleblaze) ^Closed

I ordered an **g protein shake pack of four and received a defective spilling product. After opening the package i found out that the entire packing was leaking from inside and it also spilled on some important papers of mine kept on the table....

May 08, 2023 by Navneet Fatehpuria

Rude Insulting Behaviour of a Shop Keeper (The Drug World ) ^Closed

Dear Sir, My name is Moloy Chakraborty i am from subhasgram Today **th April **** I purchases one Neopeptine child Syrup from Drug World medicine shope in Subhashgram Kolkata ****** so after payment done I focused that medicine coverd pac...

Apr 27, 2023 by Moloy Chakraborty

Permanent Damage to my skin (Kaya Skin Clinic) ^Closed

During the laser hair removal treatment, my tattoo was lasered and a part of it has faded permanently. I experienced excruciating pain until it healed which took about a month. The worst part was the staff's reaction to their mistake. First...

Apr 14, 2023 by ESHA KARAN

Didnt get my Refund (Toothsi) ^Closed

After watching an ad for free consultation by tootshi, I called them up for my dental checkup. After dental check up, their representative gave me price estimate of Rs. **k for dental alignment work. However, they also told me that there is ...

Apr 10, 2023 by Reethu Palukuri

Not given original bill for lab test (Jagat Pathology Centre Near Chaka Block Naini Prayagraj 211008) ^Closed

Jagat Pathology Centre CMO registration number RMEE******* is refusing to give bill for blood test. After asking he given receipt which is without mentioning GST/Registration number...

Mar 19, 2023 by Pankaj Kumar Mishra

Not giving test bill (Jagat Pathology Centre Near Chaka Block Naini Prayagraj 211008) ^Closed

I get blood test on ** Mar **** from Jagat Pathology Centre near Chaka block Naini Prayagraj CMO registration number RMEE*******. He is taking higher rate of tests after asking of Bill he refused to give Bill. Given only ordinary receipt withou...

Mar 19, 2023 by Pankaj Kumar Mishra

Blood test report not sent after 4 days (Netmeds India) ^Closed

Almost ** hours I still do not get the soft copy of...

Mar 10, 2023 by P Mitra

MFine vendor thyrocare took money and not delivering reports (Mfine) ^Closed

I booked a full body test from mFine, the vendor being thyrocare. Money has been debited from my account. Yet, the vendor is neither sending the reports nor is acknowledging the payment. All the while in mFine, the status is 'paid'. T...

Mar 09, 2023 by Dhaivya buch

Rainbow Hospital not refunding amount charged for online video consultation (Rainbow Hospitals Marathahalli Bangalore ) ^Closed

I have booked an online consultation on *rd Feb **** with Rainbow hospital. Doctor was not available so requested for cancellation and refund the amount. Have sent several mails and called customer care but no one is initiating the refund. B...

Feb 17, 2023 by ARNAB MOHANTY

Malfunctioning scam (Apollo 24/7 Online Pharmacy) ^Closed

Dear Team Apollo, This is very strange as on **th January **** **:** IST, I have offered my Thanks for Expired **** HCs Reinstated and on *th February I am shocked to see Expired HCs shown ****, this means again my *** HCs expired unilat...

Feb 06, 2023 by Vijay Ajmera

Unfair trade practices (Apollo 24/7 Pharmacy) ^Closed

Apollo not resolving the issue. Demanding CBDT, CBI, EOW, ED Probe & conduct FORENSIC AUDIT as Apollo generating Illegal Revenue by Unfair Trade Practices....

Jan 29, 2023 by Vijay Ajmera

Malpractices (Apollo 24/7 Online Pharmacy) ^Closed

To Whomever it may concern Dear Team Apollo **/*, I am the Victim of Apollo Software Malfunctioning and my Earned HCs should not be expired for deliberate Fault of Apollo. I am alleging with proof Apollo Team is Incompetent. I won't...

Jan 15, 2023 by Vijay Ajmera

Taking advantage of Patient s disabilities (Dr Jayanta Das) ^Closed

Jayanta Das is a Psychiatric doctor who ruined my entire life by prescribing haloperidol, olanzapine and clozapine right from *rd January **** and is continuing till now. He didn't even asked me about my problems of depression. Jayanta Das took...

Dec 11, 2022 by Deepraj Nath

Skin damage after waxing (lakme Salon) ^Closed

Got my waxing done (chose argon oil ) on back, legs and half arms. Acne developed on the treated area and it has gotten worse. I have been waxing since * years but never faced this issue ever. I doubt the product they used. I had to spend on de...

Nov 15, 2022 by dhanya