Pune: Hospitals Face Scrutiny Over Serious Violations Of Medical Laws, Health Department Issues Notices
Pune, 17th December 2023: The Pune region Health Services Department has taken stringent action against several major hospitals in the city, issuing notices for non-compliance with key acts, including the Maharashtra Nursing Homes Registration Act 1949 and Regulations 2021, and the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 2021.
Dr. Radhakishan Pawar, the Deputy Director of Pune region, spearheaded the initiative, conducting surprise inspections over the past two months at private hospitals. These inspections revealed serious violations prompting the issuance of show-cause notices. The concerned hospitals are now required to respond and provide satisfactory explanations within a one-month timeframe.
During the surprise inspections at some of the city’s leading private hospitals, the department uncovered various infractions. Notable violations included the concealment of sonography machines in storage rooms without proper sealing, inadequate registration of pregnant women before sonography, improper disposal of biomedical waste posing infection risks, and a failure to display hospital charges to the public.
Dr. Pawar emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “We have issued notices to the erring hospitals, and if their response is unsatisfactory, they may be subjected to penalties ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 5 lakh—depending on the severity of noncompliance.”
Beyond the mentioned acts, the Health Department extended its scrutiny to hospitals under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994; Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021; and the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021. Additionally, inspections were carried out to ensure adherence to BioMedical Waste Rules 2016 for infection control, as well as compliance with fire and pollution regulations. The comprehensive inspections aim to uphold the highest standards in healthcare and address violations that could compromise patient safety and environmental well-being.
