Question : HEALTH QUALITY REGULATOR

(a) whether the Government has set up/ proposes to set up a health quality regulator both at the National and the State level;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the scope and jurisdiction of the said regulator;

(c) whether the Government proposes to upgrade 100 district hospitals across the country to medical colleges to meet the acute shortage of trained doctors and medical staff;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether there is a proposal to give more autonomy to the Central Government hospitals along with strengthening the professional and managerial capability in such hospitals; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

(a) & (b): Government has enacted the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act 2010 for registration and regulation of the Clinical Establishments and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The Act provides for District Registering Authority at district level for registering and regulating the clinical establishments of the concerned District. The Act also provides for National Council for Clinical Establishments at national level for publishing a National Register of clinical establishments, categorization of the clinical establishments, developing the minimum standards, collection of the statistics in respect of clinical establishments and perform any other function as determined by the Central Government from time to time. Wherever the Act is applicable, no person can run a clinical establishment unless it is registered under the Act. Norms required to be met prior to permanent registration include:

(a) minimum standards of facilities and services; and

(b) minimum requirement of personnel.

(c) Provision and maintenance of records and reports

(d) such other condition as may be prescribed

(c) & (d):There is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for “Establishment of new medical colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals”. Under the scheme, 58 districts/referral hospitals in the underserved areas of the country have been identified. The details of such districts/ referral hospitals State/UT-wise is placed at Annexure. The scheme has the provision of fund sharing between the Central Government and States in the ratio of 90:10 for NE/special category states and 75:25 for other states.

(e) & (f): At present there is no such proposal. As far as strengthening of manpower is concerned, this is done while sanctioning new projects or upgrading existing projects.