A Legal Analysis of the Contemporary Scenario of Medical Negligence and Malpractice in the Healthcare Centers of Bangladesh: A Way Forward

The medical profession is considered noble because it plays a crucial role in preserving and improving human life. Undoubtedly, Bangladesh boasts many skilled, well-trained, and professional doctors. However, it is also true that a few doctors' inefficiency and reluctance to provide standard treatment have contributed to a significant number of incidents involving medical negligence, medical errors, and medical malpractice in the country. In our country, a significant portion of the population holds misconceptions about medical negligence and malpractice. Additionally, while Bangladesh does have some scattered legal provisions within different statutes to address medical negligence and malpractice, it is accurate to state that there is no specific codified law dedicated to the prevention of such incidents. The author used a qualitative approach to enrich the manuscript in an explorative way. It is expected that this article clarifies the concept of medical negligence and malpractice and further seeks to explore the relevant laws prevailing in Bangladesh with their major loopholes to provide legal redress to the victims of medical negligence and malpractice. It also aims to investigate the current scenario of medical negligence and malpractice in the healthcare centers of Bangladesh as well as show the diverse nature of the indescribable sufferings of the aggrieved patients from medical negligence and malpractice committed by physicians, health professionals such as nurses, ward boys, and other health assistants. Finally, at the end of the investigation, this article has made an effort to make some suggestions to the concerned authorities to prevent medical negligence and malpractice in Bangladesh and suggests potential reforms to enhance patient safety, accountability, and access to justice.