- Issues advisory, seeks compliance within 15-day
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, June 20: In an effort to ensure quality healthcare services, the Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department today issued directives to all private nursing homes, polyclinics, and other health facilities across J&K, urging them to comply with the minimum prescribed standards for facilities, services, human resources, and records.
The department has set a 15-day deadline for these healthcare establishments to meet the required standards through an advisory issued, a copy of which lies with Excelsior, highlighting the importance of verification and inspection of all private healthcare facilities operating in the Kashmir valley.
H&ME underlined that it has come to its notice that several healthcare facilities are either unregistered or lack the necessary facilities, manpower, and quality mandated by the law.
Citing Section 33 of the Clinical Establishments (Regulations and Regulation) Act, 2010, the advisory states that the authority or an authorized officer has the right to inspect and inquire about any registered clinical establishment, including its building, laboratories, equipment, and the work conducted.
Under the rules, it has been stated, the department may direct a multi-member inspection team to carry out the inspection and inquiry, noting that the clinical establishment is entitled to be represented during the process.
It stated further that the department will communicate its views and the results of the inspections or inquiries to the clinical establishment and after considering the establishment’s opinion, the department may advise the necessary action to be taken.
The advisory further mandates that the clinical establishment must report to the authority about the proposed or taken actions based on the inspection or inquiry results.
Failure to take satisfactory action within a reasonable time, as per the norms, may result in the department issuing directions to the establishment, which must be complied with.
Referring to Section 10 of the Clinical Establishment Act, 2010, the advisory issued, reminds the private nursing homes, polyclinics, and other health facilities that the Health and Medical Education Department has notified the District Registering Authority for the purpose of registration of clinical establishments.
The advisory has directed the private nursing homes, polyclinics, and other health facilities to adhere to the minimum prescribed standards for facilities, services, human resources, and records within 15 days.
“Additionally, the District Registering Authorities will conduct inspections of all private healthcare establishments within their jurisdiction and submit a report to the Administrative Department within three weeks,” the advisory said, adding that any violations in this regard will be taken seriously.
The officials said that the directives aim to ensure that private healthcare facilities provide high-quality services and meet the necessary standards, ultimately improving the overall healthcare services in J&K.
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