Confusion prevails over registration of clinics

Mangalore, March 4: As registration of medical establishments under the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act 2007 has become mandatory from March 1, confusion prevails as to whether the clinics are covered under the Act.

While the Act states that the medical establishments, including clinics, have to be registered, Medical Education Minister S.A. Ramdas during his recent visit to the city said Act was applicable only to hospitals with beds. Mr. Ramdas said he would clarify this in a video conference with Deputy Commissioners.

Nearly two weeks after his visit, the Minister was yet to issue clarification. However, the District Registration Authority headed by Deputy Commissioner is going ahead with implementation of the Act per se. “The Act is clear and it includes all medical establishments, including clinics. We have to implement it accordingly,” District Health Officer O.R. Srirangappa told The Hindu. He said out of 775 establishments inspected in Mangalore, 69 had been recommended for registration. Notices had been issued to 686 medical establishments, Dr. Srirangappa said.The Minister's announcement came after his interaction with doctors at the Father Muller Hospital during his recent visit.

He was told about the problem doctors operating in clinics faced in implementing the Act. A doctor pointed out to the Minister the difficulties of general practitioners in implementing the norms of the Act such as having separate toilets for men and women in a small clinic and having bio-waste disposable units.

The Indian Medical Association's Mangalore unit had taken up the cause of the clinics. “It's impossible for the current establishments (clinics) to add any facilities as stated in the Act. We have appealed to the Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare),” said K. Mukund, president of IMA Mangalore Unit, who is a member of the District Registration Authority. “Until we receive clarifications, our Executive Committee has asked me not to sign on any certificates issued by the registration authority,” he added. Efforts to contact Mr. Ramdas failed as his mobile phone was switched off. The office of the Minister said a circular would be issued within a week to all hospitals about the Act, including about the exclusion of clinics. The Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare), E.V. Ramana Reddy, said the Act was being implemented in letter and spirit. “If there has to be modifications there has to be modifications,” Mr. Reddy told The Hindu. Mr. Reddy said so far he had not received any representations about problem.