Pune Civic Body Cracks Down on Hospitals for Non-Compliance with Health Regulations
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has stepped up its enforcement efforts by issuing show-cause notices to six private hospitals across the city. These notices have been issued due to alleged violations of the Bombay Nursing Home Registration Act 194 and the Maharashtra Nursing Home Registration (Amendment) Rules, 2021. The health department’s actions follow multiple inspections that revealed a series of discrepancies in the hospitals’ operations, particularly regarding safety measures and patient rights.
The hospitals in question are located in key areas such as Sinhagad Road, Narhe, Anand Nagar, and Hingne Khurd, among others. Dr. Suryakant Devkar, Assistant Health Officer at PMC, confirmed that the common violations across these hospitals included the absence of valid fire department No Objection Certificates (NOC) and failure to display the mandatory Patients’ Rights Charter. These lapses are in direct contravention of the norms outlined in the Nursing Home Act, which aims to ensure that healthcare institutions maintain certain standards to safeguard patient welfare and public safety.
In addition to the fire safety and patient rights issues, the hospitals have also been found lacking in displaying essential information, such as the treatment tariff, and the details of the grievance redressal cell and its contact numbers. These measures are crucial in maintaining transparency and accountability within healthcare services, and their omission raises questions about the hospitals’ commitment to patient care and operational ethics.
As part of the PMC’s broader inspection initiative, 170 private hospitals and nursing homes in Pune have already been examined for regulatory compliance. With over 850 private healthcare facilities registered under PMC, the civic body is intensifying its oversight, especially in light of these recent violations. While the hospitals under scrutiny are mostly smaller and medium-sized establishments, the implications of their non-compliance can ripple across the broader healthcare system, affecting patient safety and trust in private healthcare providers.
Dr. Devkar further clarified that the six hospitals have been given a 30-day window to rectify these deficiencies. Failure to comply with the regulatory requirements within the stipulated time frame could lead to stringent actions, including fines and the potential revocation of their licenses. However, the PMC has expressed willingness to consider leniency for hospitals facing genuine challenges in meeting the regulatory standards, provided they present a valid justification for the delays.
While PMC’s increased scrutiny of healthcare facilities is a much-needed step towards ensuring patient safety, it also highlights a growing concern about the sustainability of healthcare infrastructure in Pune. In a city where private hospitals cater to a significant portion of the population, the need for proper regulations cannot be overstated. The current regulatory shortcomings in these smaller hospitals reflect a broader issue of non-compliance that threatens to undermine the quality of healthcare in the city.
In terms of sustainability, this situation underscores the critical role of governance in shaping a robust healthcare system. The sustainable growth of private healthcare in Pune hinges not only on expanding facilities but also on ensuring compliance with safety and operational norms. By enforcing stringent regulations and addressing gaps in healthcare delivery, the PMC can drive improvements that will contribute to long-term public health and well-being.
