India, Aug. 24 -- Following the death of a 37-year-old pregnant woman who was allegedly denied treatment at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital over a demand for a Rs.10 lakh deposit, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and hospital owners have begun working on uniform protocols to define what constitutes a medical emergency.

The move comes amid growing questions over how hospitals handle critical patients. According to IMA officials, expert inputs are being sought from associations of neurologists, cardiologists, surgeons, physicians, and gynaecologists, amongst others, to prepare the guidelines.

Dr Sanjay Patil, national secretary, Hospital Board of India, said, "During the initial discussions, it has been agreed that the treating doctor, ...