The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has constituted an 'IMA-Mediation, Conciliation and Grievances Redressal Cell' to cater to the complaints of patients facing problems in various medical institutions.
IMA has written to all its 1700 local branches and 30 state branches to open these cells in their respective branches and meet twice a month to mediate between patients and doctors.
"The Cell has been created with the objective of providing a platform and mechanism for amicable and peaceful settlement of any dispute between a patient and doctor member of IMA," said Dr K K Aggarwal, Secretary General of IMA who stressed that "90 per cent of the patient-doctor disputes are due to improper communication".
On receiving a complaint, the committee will contact the concerned doctor member with directions to file their response.
The committee shall obtain the consent of both the parties in writing in the prescribed form before the proceedings and pass an award on the basis of settlement arrived between the parties out of their mutual will and choice, free from any pressure and influence.
The committee will only facilitate in arriving at a decision to resolve the disputes and it shall not impose any settlement or decision on the parties.
The committee will include doctors, an advocate and a social person of eminence as members.
"If no settlement can be reached between the parties, then the matter shall be closed by the committee subject, however, to the condition that all the records of the case shall be kept confidential and consigned to records. The complaint will be settled within 90 days," said IMA national president, Dr A Marthanda Pillai.
