The Hindu : National : Clinical establishments to be regulated

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Friday, Aug 31, 2007
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Clinical establishments to be regulated

Special Correspondent

National Council will evolve standards

NEW DELHI: A Bill to provide for registration and regulation of clinical establishments was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss.

It envisages the constitution of a National Council, which will classify clinical establishments and develop minimum standards, and compile and maintain a national register.

Representatives

The National Council will comprise representatives from the Dental Council of India, the Nursing Council of India, the Pharmacy Council of India, and members from the Indian systems of medicine, the Indian Medical Associations, the Bureau of Indian Standards, the Zonal Councils and the North Eastern Council.

Registrar for State

Every State Government will have to designate a Registrar of clinical establishments, who will compile and update the State register.

Once the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Bill, 2007 is passed, no one will be allowed to run an establishment unless it has been registered in accordance with the provisions of the legislation. The existing establishments will be given provisional registration until they comply with the standards within three years.

The proposed legislation empowers authorities to cancel registration if any establishment fails to comply with the standards.

Any violation of the provisions will attract a fine up to Rs. 5 lakh.

Long-felt need

There has been a long-felt need for Central legislation for ensuring uniform standards of facilities and services provided by the clinical establishments throughout the country, according to the statement of objects and reasons.

At present, supervision and regulation of the healthcare delivery provided by both the public and private sectors is a contentious and unresolved issue.

The private sector has remained largely uncontrolled with problems ranging from inadequate and inappropriate treatment, excessive use of higher technologies to medical malpractices and negligence.

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