Times of India
30 Aug 2011
By , Kounteya Sinha
Jaipur , India

Min facilities a must for private health centres
The resolution to adopt the Clinical Establishment Act 2010 was passed in the Vidhan Sabha on Monday. The Act will provide a legislative framework for registration and regulation of clinical establishments with a view to prescribe minimum standards of facilities and services. With this, private hospitals and nursing homes in the state will have to maintain a minimum standard of facilities and services.

On August 19, in a meeting with the health minister AA Khan and other senior medical and health department officials, a zila pramukh had questioned standards which private medical practitioners follow in the state. He also questioned the control of the state government on private doctors and nursing homes. Replying to the question, principal secretary BN Sharma clearly stated that they had sent the proposal to adopt Clinical Establishment Act 2010, passed by the Centre, which would force the private medical practitioners to maintain minimum standards of facilities and services.

The Act would prescribe minimum standards of facilities and services at clinical establishments, including hospitals, maternity and nursing homes, dispensaries, clinics, sanatoriums or any institution that offers services, facilities requiring diagnosis, treatment or care for illnesses, injuries, deformities, abnormalities or pregnancies. These establishments may be owned, controlled or managed by the government, a trust (public or private), a corporation, a local authority or a single doctor.

With the enforcement of standard treatment protocol, chances of patients being overcharged will be minimal. The Act will help ensure quality healthcare services and prevent negligence.