(a) whether attention of the Government has been drawn to the cases
where exorbitant fees are being charged from the patients by doctors in
private hospitals across the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith facts in this regard;
(c) whether the Government proposes to regulate and ensure quality
services, affordable fees and to check malpractices in private hospitals,
nursing homes etc.; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the progress made in this regard so far?
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a)to(d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 503 FOR 11 MAY, 2012
Yes, Madam. There have been reports in the media about exorbitant fees being charged
by the private hospitals across the country. However, since `Health` is a state
subject, it is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments to regulate
health care services and take action to ensure affordable health care services
for people.
Keeping in view the need to regulate the healthcare facilities in the public
interest, the Central Government has enacted the Clinical Establishments
(Registration & Regulation) Act, 2010. The Act provides for registration and
regulation of all kinds of clinical establishments of recognized systems of
medicine. This Act provides for adherence to certain minimum standards of
facilities by the clinical establishments.
It has come into effect from 1st March, 2012 in the States of Arunachal Pradesh,
Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, and all Union Territories. The registration
and regulation processes shall be managed primarily by the State Govemnients as
per the provisions given in the Act and the Rules to be made thereunder.
The Act, when adopted and implemented by the States, will facilitate in improving
the quality of health care sendees in the country.