Archive · 29 Oct 2025
India's Hospitals Withhold Crucial Infection Data, Endangering Patients
Imagine going to the hospital for treatment.
Sometimes, even in a clean place, tiny germs can cause infections, called hospital-acquired infections.
In India, hospitals aren't always required to tell people how often these infections happen.
This makes it hard for you to choose a hospital that is extra careful about keeping patients safe from these germs.
Some hospitals share data when asked, but many, especially private ones, do not.
Even some top government hospitals don't keep track properly or share their infection numbers.
Without this information, it's like choosing a place to eat without knowing if it's clean.
Patients and their families deserve to know these numbers to make safe choices, and experts say sharing this information would encourage hospitals to be more careful.
Many Indian hospitals, including major private chains, do not publicly disclose their infection rates, making it difficult for patients to make informed decisions.
International examples like the US, Australia, and UK have mandatory systems for public reporting of hospital infection data.
While some public hospitals provided data through RTI requests, many, including AIIMS, failed to provide complete or required information.
Regulatory bodies like NABH have declined to share data, citing confidentiality, and some hospitals lack basic infection control resources.
Instances of severe patient harm due to hospital-acquired infections have occurred, exacerbated by the lack of transparency and accountability.
- Who
- Indian hospitals (both public and private) and regulatory bodies like NABH and ICMR.
- What
- A significant lack of transparency and mandatory reporting of healthcare-associated infection (HAI) rates by hospitals, leading to potential patient harm and difficulty in making informed healthcare choices.
- When
- Ongoing, with specific incidents and data requests occurring in 2024 and 2025.
- Where
- Across India, affecting both major public institutions like AIIMS and private hospital chains, as well as smaller rural facilities.
- Why
- Hospitals are not mandated to publicly disclose infection rates, and regulatory bodies often decline to share data citing confidentiality or lack of standardized collection, hindering accountability and patient awareness.
Hospitals' Stance on Data Disclosure
Patient and Public Health Advocates' Stance
Transparency of Infection Rates
Hospitals' Stance on Data Disclosure
Some private hospitals cite a lack of standardized reporting methods and claim it would be a breach of confidence to share data with third parties without explicit consent from each accredited hospital. They suggest that mandatory government notification, similar to COVID-19, would ensure compliance.
Patient and Public Health Advocates' Stance
Transparency is crucial for informed patient decisions and for driving improvements in infection control. Advocates argue that publicly available data incentivizes hospitals to maintain higher standards and that the 'black box' nature of current practices allows lapses to go unnoticed.
Reasons for Lack of Data
Hospitals' Stance on Data Disclosure
Hospitals, particularly private ones, argue they invest heavily in infection control, but do not find it necessary to publish internal records. Some public hospitals face resource constraints, lack of mandated testing, or overburdened diagnostic facilities.
Patient and Public Health Advocates' Stance
The failure to disclose data, coupled with instances of poor infection control practices, suggests a potential prioritization of cost-saving or operational ease over patient safety. This lack of transparency shields hospitals from accountability.
Data Collection and Reporting
Hospitals' Stance on Data Disclosure
Some hospitals claim that patient-level data is not collected, or that individual hospital rates are not reported to national networks. The National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) states that data requests would be a breach of confidence and requires patient consent.
Patient and Public Health Advocates' Stance
International models demonstrate that mandatory, standardized reporting of infection rates is feasible and beneficial. India's current fragmented and voluntary systems, including the HAI Surveillance network, are insufficient in providing actionable, public data.
- Countries with Mandatory Disclosure
- USA, Australia, UK
- HAI Surveillance Network (India)
- 90 hospitals, many not required to report regularly
- NABH Accreditation
- Covers over 2,700 hospitals, but data sharing is restricted
- AIIMS Infection Data
- 14 out of 20 provided data; AIIMS Delhi reported unsterile environmental samples
- Private Hospitals' Response
- Most declined to share data; Wockhardt hospital reported a rate of 0.6
- Pithampur Hospital Issues
- Lack of hand sanitizers, basins in wards, insufficient testing facilities
- Dr Pandit Eye Surgery and Laser Hospital
- Sealed after multiple patients lost vision due to infection; surgeon's license suspension sought