The Hindu : Front Page : Bill to monitor hospitals soon

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Monday, Dec 29, 2008
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Bill to monitor hospitals soon

N.J. Nair

Legislation is aimed at curbing vandalism against government, private hospitals

State to ask Centre to pilot legislation
Law reforms panel moots punitive measures

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A Bill to monitor the functioning of hospitals and safeguarding them from mob fury is under the active consideration of the government.

Law Department sources told The Hindu here that the model legislation was aimed at curbing vandalism against government and private hospitals as well as monitor the quality of the service being offered. This was being mooted in the context of increasing instances of mob attacks and complaints about casualties due to alleged medical negligence.

The medical fraternity too had apprised the government of the problems being faced by them and placed a request for framing legislation for the smooth functioning of the hospitals.

The government would urge the Centre to pilot legislation or evolve a mechanism to ensure protection to hospitals and provision of quality health care to the public. If this failed to materialise, the State government would move ahead with its own proposal.

The Law Reforms Commission had already suggested a set of punitive measures, including penalty and imprisonment, to those who targetted the hospital staff on duty and destroy equipment. Such cases would be treated as non-bailable offences.

Depending on the gravity, a compensation amounting to double the cost of the equipment destroyed would be levied. Imprisonment up to three years had also been suggested. Revenue recovery proceedings would be initiated against those failing to pay the fine. Similarly, death due to negligence too would be treated seriously, sources said.

The department was weighing the options for working out a mechanism to monitor the quality of service offered by government and private hospitals. There was a proposed to categorise private hospitals on the basis of the facilities offered by them.

This gradation would also help to standardise the cost for various treatments, surgeries and tests conducted in hospitals, sources said.

An authority for reviewing the functioning of hospitals from time to time was also under active consideration. The legislation was aimed at clearing the hitches and avoiding friction between the public and the health personnel. The government would hold extensive discussions and take all concerned into confidence before working out the finer aspects of the Bill, sources said.

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