Medical Negligence Committee Chief Quits, Citing ‘Interference, Vested Interests’

After three years leading the Medical Negligence Standing Committee (MNSC), Me Lockraj Nuckchady has submitted his resignation.

He has been cited as stating that “too many vested interests” were hindering his work and that “some individuals” had begun to obstruct him for fulfilling his job responsibilities, which had displeased certain parties.

However, it is reported that this situation has been ongoing for about a year, with difficult working conditions for the committee.

Me Nuckchady said he was not there to “please doctors” but to carry out his duties. During his tenure, the MNSC investigated high-profile cases, including instances of medical negligence resulting in the death of dialysis patients during COVID-19.

In 2021, a baby’s neck was dislocated during childbirth, and the committee concluded that the gynecologist was at fault due to being late.

Similarly, in another incident, a baby was declared stillborn but was later discovered to be alive, leading the committee to once again find the gynecologist and the attending general practitioner guilty of negligence.

This year, yet another doctor came under scrutiny following the death of a 10-year-old girl after a botched appendectomy.

Health Minister Kailesh Jagutpal recently revealed that 51 cases had been reported to the committee in December 2022.

Source: l’Express