Pune: The health department has now written to all medical officers in the state to conduct inspections of private hospitals, to check for overcharging, gaps in fire safety and improper biomedical waste disposal.
The department’s letter on Jan 4 — addressed to civil surgeons, district medical officers and medical heads of all civic bodies — calls for a thorough inspection of private hospitals to check if the units are adhering to rules framed under the Maharashtra Nursing Home Act, 1966. It was issued by health department director Dr Nitin Ambadekar a day after state health minister Prakash Abitkar visited Pune’s Regional Mental Hospital (RMH) in Yerawada where he reprimanded senior officials for neglecting key duties, including maintenance of hygiene and payments to staff.
The letter also stated that private hospitals will face legal action if they don’t rectify issues within a month’s time of notice.
On Friday, during his visit to RMH, Abitkar looked visibly upset with senior health department officials as he toured the facility.
He later told the press that he has instructed officials to ensure govt hospitals are upgraded and private hospitals stick to govt norms. “This was my first meeting with senior officials after taking charge as health minister. We have extended the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, the state insurance scheme, to more private hospitals so it’s the state govt’s job to see that MJPJAY reaches the right people,” he said.
Dr Ambadekar said: “All private hospitals will be inspected to ensure they publicly display their rates and follow norms under the Act. I have instructed all officials to prepare a list of hospitals and facilities that fall short in complying with any of the norms. They will be given a month’s time to do so. We will also conduct follow-up inspections of the hospitals, and if they fail to comply despite the notice, they will face necessary legal action.”
