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

Took money without performing necessary procedures (Makeo Toothsi ) ^Open

I have already filed complaint against this company. They arranged for free consultation and came and did free scan at home, they asked for rs *****, which I paid through emi. I later came to know they didn't inform me about the procedures to b...

Feb 10, 2024 by Snigdha Samantaray

Kolors Weight Loss Not able to continue (Kolors ) ^Open

Hi, I have taken Kolors weight loss treatment and attended * sessions with no visible results. I will not be able to spend time and continue this. Need to initiate refund for the session not attended....

Jan 06, 2024 by Senthil Prathapan

Health care nd scram (New Pariwar Hospital ) ^Open

My father was admitted in hospital for approx *days in private room after discharge patient from hospital we again visit hospital for treatment nd hospital team suggested that ur patient condition was critical nd they admitted in ICU my patient...

Dec 26, 2023 by Pushpendra parashar

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

Hospital overcharged for planned angioplasty without proper invoice (Fortis Hospital) ^Closed

My father was admitted to Fortis Hospitals Bannerghatta on *.*.** for an angiogram after which a couple of blocks were detected in his heart. The doctor had suggested for an angioplasty and he was admitted for the same on the same day. The esti...

Aug 08, 2021 by Barnik Ray

Refund not issued (mednear.com) ^Closed

I had placed an order (MNP******) on Mednear.com for ****.** on **/**. However, they had not confirmed the order status and I had cancelled the order on **/**. The sms sent said that it takes *-** days to issue the refund. However, it has been ...

May 31, 2021 by Debasmita Das

The cover i received is spoiled (Lenskart) ^Closed

I got buy * get * offer and i ordered two,i got my package on **/**/**.Both specs are fine but the cover was spoiled..i would like to exchange it. Please delivery another cover. ...

May 26, 2021 by Marpi Bagra

Test Not done (Stemz Global) ^Closed

I had booked home testing appointment from stemz global on **/**/**. The date and time of appointment was on **/**/** at ** to ** AM. It was supposed to be done before my flight to ahemdabad from kolkata on **/**/**.They called me for confirma...

May 23, 2021 by Gohil K

Not Resolved my Skin Issues after 10 months (Dr. Batras Positive Health Clinic) ^Closed

Dear Sir, After submission of many complaints & reminders, I got service from your senior doctor (Ms. Sarika) but till yet not get solutions to all issues. I never ever expected from Dr. Batra's, I am taking treatments since Jun-**** and **...

Mar 25, 2021 by Dhiraj Zaru

Fraud by netmeds (Netmeds ) ^Closed

Netmeds deliver me damaged medicine parcel when I called them and ask them to replace the medicine or do full refund neither they replace my product nor they refund me I m continoulsly call their customer care still from * March **** till date...

Mar 18, 2021 by Priya Tickoo

Refund not done (Medlife online pharmacy india) ^Closed

I had ordered medicines Hair bless ** tabs (*strips) on **th jan ****, i had received medicines on **th jan ****, i noticed damage in two strips with tablets broken after opening the pack. Immediately within **min i had sent mail to customer ...

Feb 07, 2021 by Ramakrishna Raju Nunna

Refund of Order no (Medlife) ^Closed

I had ordered the following products on **th October **** under order no. OR****ODC-***A. *. Calcitas D* Capsules *. Control D Blood Glucose Test Strips *** The same were returned on **th October and the refund has been received for the fi...

Nov 23, 2020 by Jerome Picardo

Delay in service (Powermax Fitness India Private Limited) ^Closed

I purchased Powermax threadmill from Amazon. Received damaged producr so i filed service request in powermax portal. After making many calls and mails they sent damaged piece and technician to my location to replace. but after inspecting the pr...

Oct 28, 2020 by Jalagam Abhilash

Non refund of amount (Homeocare International Private Limited) ^Closed

I had paid amount of ***** at homecare international,kakinada,east Godavari, Andhra pradesh on **.**.** on name of K.bhavana with ID AN**. I had cancelled it on jan** ****. From then I had followed up them as due covid-** it has been closed, ...

Oct 19, 2020 by k girees balakrishna

BILLING FRAUD BY MAX HOSPITAL SHALIMAR BAGH (Max Hospital) ^Closed

MY FATHER MR. MADAN LAL JAIN {IPID ******}, MAX ID {SHBG ********** } WAS ADMITTED IN MAX HOSPITALS SHALIMAR BAGH ON ** AUGUST **** FOR TREATMENT OF COVID AS HE WAS FOUND POSITIVE ON ** AUGUST **** .ON ** AUGUST **** SINCE HIS BREATHLESSNES ARI...

Oct 05, 2020 by AKHIL JAIN

Excess supplied medicines not take return and duplicate medicine supplied not refunded amount (Medlife) ^Closed

I ordered * Medicines through order no. OR****IQB-***A and OR****IQB-***A.*. GLYCOMET SR ***MG *. JALRA M **/***MG . *. ZEFCORT-* *. MFSONE CREAM **GM They supplied me under order no. ***A GLYCOMETSR (BEARING BATHC NO.********)The bill of order...

Oct 01, 2020 by JAYANT KUMAR

Refund needed (LaBelle Slimming Skin and Hair Clinic) ^Closed

Hi this Ridhima I have singed up for weight loss treatment with labelle at Secunderabad branch. When I went there I was conviced they said initial payment ***** and other thing would be through emi . I thought the loan process take time . So ...

Sep 24, 2020 by Ridhima yeruva

Money fraud ( Model Yoga ) ^Closed

I saw the AD on my face book page on *th September **** and got the specific item ( YOGA TAB*pro-x**y ) given above compliant above I paid Rs-****/- and was disappointed as I expected it to come in *-* days. so please take action ...

Sep 22, 2020 by c.p. Ranjith kumar

Return pickedup but refund not received (Medlife) ^Closed

the application showing payment given in cash but i didn't received any amount from pickup man or company ...

Sep 22, 2020 by yash

Item missing (Medlife) ^Closed

My order is Incomplete, one item is missing - Benadon **mg - * strips. M:no - ********** ORDER. NUMBER :OR****QHB-***A - Order got delivered on **th - I opened the package on **th Night - I see Benadon **mg is missing - Called up yo...

Sep 21, 2020 by Joshva

Package not delivered (Patanjali Ayurved Limited) ^Closed

My online package not delivered . It's pending from last two months.Company is not resolving even after multiple chasers as well as call. I have raised it with consumer helpline number more then a month ago but no impact. ...

Sep 15, 2020 by Amit Rukhaiyar

Package not delivered (Gamma Industries JRC Tower Tagore Nagar Dashmesh Nagar Jalandhar Punjab) ^Closed

I had paid for various fitness equipments through online payment to the company on **.**.****, **.**.**** & **.**.**** ( Total * orders). Till this date I have no information about the status of my orders, I wrote numerous emails and also made ...

Aug 28, 2020 by RAMESH BABU K G

Extra unused medicines not taken back by Hospital Pharmacy (Holy Family Hospital) ^Closed

I was admitted in Holy Family hospital, St.Andrews Road, Bandra West, Mumbai-****** on **/**/** for Covid positive and was discharged on **/**/**. During my stay at the hospital the medical staff ordered medicines and injections directly to hos...

Aug 26, 2020 by Krishna Surendra Agrawal

Services not given after taking payment for it (Makeover parlour) ^Closed

I have bought * service cards from the MAKEOVER PARLOUR .ti has been now closed and owner was not picking pu my phone. And now she even blocked my number ....

Aug 25, 2020 by Mrs Sarita Ahuja