New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS): Having won one of the highest compensations in a medical negligence case in India, US-based physician Kunal Saha Tuesday trained his guns on the Medical Council of India (MCI), terming it the root cause of corruption in the Indian healthcare system.

"Corruption seems to have a firm grip over the healthcare regulatory system since a new MCI was established earlier this month through a botched election," Saha told reporters here.

The statutory body for establishing uniform and high standards of medical education in India, the MCI grants recognition of medical qualifications, gives accreditation to medical colleges, grants registration to medical practitioners, and monitors medical practice in India.

Saha, who is the president of the People for Better Treatment - which fights against medical negligence, said his organisation will continue to fight the pervasive corruption in the Indian healthcare system to bring transparency and accountability for all members of the medical community.

"On the bright side, under our relentless pressure and long-drawn battle to make medical councils as honest bodies, we are glad that parliament standing committee on health has recommended inclusion of 'non-doctor' members in the medical council in their 73rd report filed earlier this month," he said.

He said his organisation was opening a new support centre in the capital to help remove corruption from the healthcare delivery system.

The Supreme Court Oct 24 awarded Saha Rs.6,08,00,550 compensation, ordering the Kolkata-based Advance Medicare Research Institute (AMRI) to pay for medical negligence resulting in his wife Anuradha's death in 1988.