Govt to regulate medical facilities

The government has decided to regulate all clinical establishments, including diagnostic centres. A legislative framework to this effect has been proposed which will also have penal provisions for those who fail in providing minimum standards of services.All the clinical establishments including diagnostic centres will be registered and regulated by the National Council of Standards. The council will prescribe minimum standards for healthcare services and maintain a national register of clinical establishments. The council will be represented by members of medical, dental, nursing and pharmacy councils and Indian Medical Association (IMA). It will be headed by the director general of health services (DGHS).The council will conduct periodic review of the standards for healthcare services. State governments are expected to have similar legislation as health is a state subject. States like Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland and Manipur have already concurred with the proposed legislation.