With an aim to clear decks for implementation of Central Clinical Establishment Act to regulate healthcare facilities in the state, the Haryana government has agreed to Indian Medical Association (IMA)’s slew of demands including exemption of 50 bedded hospitals from the purview of the Clinical Establishment Act, dropping penal provision on doctors, and setting up of district redressal mechanism having doctors’ representation.
The Haryana government has modified Central Clinical Establishment Act to address IMA concerns and would soon issue an ordinance to implement it. The hospitals with more than 50 beds would be covered under it.
The government agreed to demands of IMA at a meeting held a couple of days back. Dr KK Aggarwal, National President of IMA said “We have long been demanding for exemption of hospitals having less than 50 beds from central act and dropping penal provision on physicians. We are happy that government has agreed to them.”
Besides this, the government has also agreed to other demands of IMA such as allowing it to accreditate all clinics and establishments up to 50 beds and certify all paramedics working in various establishments. IMA Paramedical council will certify all paramedics in several establishments.
The government has also given its consent for imposition of IMA self-regulations on all establishments. 50 beds which will have only registration will also comply with IMA self- regulations. Those not following IMA regulations will be boycotted by the association, opined Dr Aggarwal.
It also agreed to set up district redressal mechanism which will provide single window accountability and will have IMA members in it and medical negligence will be looked by Haryana Medical Council.
IMA had expressed reservations over certain provisions in the central act including fixing fee structures of doctors’ prescription and treatment, and provision to treat trauma patients free of cost as it will affect small-scale private hospitals, making it difficult for them to operate.
Allaying apprehensions of IMA, the government has made it clear that standard treatment guidelines mentioned in CEA will be advisory in nature and will be framed in consultation with the largest body of doctors.
It further said that charges will be transparent and displayed and will be in consultation with IMA.
Earlier an association of doctors on December 15, 2017 suspended all outpatient services (OPD) at around 185 private hospitals in protest against the Haryana government’s decision to implement the central act.
