MMC Resolves 43 Complaints in 2026, 849 Remain Pending

The Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) has accelerated its grievance redressal process, disposing of 43 complaints in the first week of July 2026. This marks the council's highest annual disposal in recent years.

However, despite the improved pace, the council still grapples with a backlog of 849 pending complaints. These complaints involve allegations of medical negligence, overcharging, and professional misconduct.

According to official data, the MMC received 301 complaints between 2022 and July 2026. The disposal trends have shown improvement, with only two complaints disposed of in 2022, and no cases resolved in 2023 and 2024. The disposal rate improved in 2025 with 25 cases, and further accelerated this year with 43 complaints resolved till July.

A complaint filed in 2017 regarding a doctor from a hospital in the Western Suburbs is still pending. The complainant alleged that the doctor did not prescribe generic medicines and forced a patient to undergo blood transfusion at a selected blood bank.

Health activists have cited delays in the complaint redressal process. Chetan Kothari, a health activist, filed a complaint with the MMC against a pathologist who was allegedly working without a degree at a civic-run hospital in Kandivali. The complaint is still pending, and no hearing has been held till date.

MMC Administrator Dr Vinky Rughvani stated that complaint disposal follows a quasi-judicial process and cannot be rushed. Every complaint is examined on merit, and doctors are given a fair opportunity to present their side.

Patient rights groups have urged the council to strengthen its inquiry mechanism, hold more frequent hearings, and adopt time-bound disposal norms to clear the mounting backlog. This is necessary to restore confidence in the state's medical regulatory system.

The MMC has started holding hearings every 15 days to ensure that the maximum number of cases are taken up. According to Dr Rughvani, complaint redressal has improved considerably, as earlier hardly five to 10 cases were redressed.

The council's efforts to speed up the complaint redressal process are a step in the right direction. However, the large number of pending complaints highlights the need for further improvement.

The Maharashtra Medical Council's ability to effectively address complaints will be crucial in maintaining public trust in the medical profession. As the council continues to work on clearing the backlog, it is essential that they prioritize fairness, transparency, and efficiency in their decision-making process.

In conclusion, while the MMC has made progress in resolving complaints, there is still much work to be done. The council must continue to strive for improvement and work towards creating a more efficient and effective complaint redressal system.

This will not only benefit patients but also help to maintain the integrity of the medical profession in Maharashtra. By doing so, the MMC can ensure that patients receive the best possible care and that doctors are held accountable for their actions.

The MMC's efforts to improve the complaint redressal process are a positive step towards achieving this goal. As the council moves forward, it is essential that they remain committed to fairness, transparency, and efficiency in their decision-making process.

Ultimately, the success of the MMC's complaint redressal system will depend on their ability to balance the need for fairness and transparency with the need for efficiency and effectiveness. By achieving this balance, the council can create a system that truly serves the needs of patients and doctors alike.

The Maharashtra Medical Council's progress in resolving complaints is a significant development in the state's medical regulatory system. As the council continues to work on improving the complaint redressal process, it is essential that they prioritize the needs of patients and doctors.

By doing so, the MMC can create a system that is fair, transparent, and effective. This will not only benefit patients but also help to maintain the integrity of the medical profession in Maharashtra.

In the end, the MMC's ability to effectively address complaints will be crucial in maintaining public trust in the medical profession. As the council moves forward, it is essential that they remain committed to fairness, transparency, and efficiency in their decision-making process.

This will ensure that patients receive the best possible care and that doctors are held accountable for their actions. The Maharashtra Medical Council's progress in resolving complaints is a positive step towards achieving this goal.