The Department of Health and Family Welfare will be closely monitoring the running of hospitals without proper permits from this year.
In the recent past, people have been complaining about medical establishments being run without proper permit. One particular complaint was against a “hospital” that was being run in the town area which had only a permit to run a diagnostic lab. One of the patients of this hospital had been operated upon and died during the operation a year ago. Unfortunately, the department did not have sufficient powers at that time to take severe action against the owners and the establishment continues to be run as a hospital, an official said.
With the enactment of the Clinical Establishments Act in the Union Territory last year and framing of rules , the Health Department would be able to take severe action against hospitals that are run without regulations. A committee would be formed headed by the Secretary for Health and Family Welfare.
It would have executive powers and be able to cancel licences and impose punishments on anyone who is running clinics, laboratories or hospitals without proper permits.
Through this Act, the entire health system in the Union Territory would be regulated, the official said.
Earlier, the only Act that was in place was the Public Health Act, and 72 hospitals and 150 clinics and laboratories are being run under it. But, as the department only issues permits and could only cancel these permits at the most, many of the labs and clinics are being run without proper regulations.
Several conditions would come into force owing to the new Act. All hospitals would have to get certificate from the Puducherry Pollution Control Committee for disposal of biomedical waste, from the municipality for fulfilling specific criteria and proof that all facilities are in place to get approval.
Once a complaint received against a hospital for any lack of amenities, the authorities would be able to seal the premises, the official said.
In June 2013, the Act was enforced. Now, the Puducherry Clinical Establishments Rules have been sent for printing in the gazette and by June, the committee would be formed. It would be reviewing the licences of all medical establishments currently functioning, the official said.
