RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Nov.14: Indian Medical Association, Jharkhand, on Sunday expressed its concern over implementation of centrally framed Clinical Establishment Act in the state without any amendment and without considering the local limitations.
IMA Jharkhand unit president Dr Pradeep Kumar informed this in a press conference after the organization’s meeting at IMA Building at Karam Toli Chowk, Ranchi.
“Implementation of centrally drafted Clinical Establishment Act in the state without any change and without considering the local problems will deprive common people from the cost effective treatment. The criteria decided under the Act is so tough that a doctor or a doctor couple running nursing homes will be compelled to shut it down and patient will leave with no option other than taking refuge to corporate hospital where treatment is costly. In this situation poor patients will have to pay Rs 5 lakh for the treatment of the disease which can be treated just in Rs 5000 now in the existing system,” said Dr Kumar.
“The issue was discussed in detail with IMA members from different parts of the state”, added Dr Kumar.
Noted ophthalmologist Dr Bharti Kashyap, who is also chairperson of Women Doctors’ Wing of IMA, echoed Dr Kumar saying implementation of Clinical Establishment Act in the same way as it was drafted under the influence of corporate houses will compel doctors to join hospitals of corporate houses and it will finally affect the common people.
Joint secretary of IMA, Ranchi and a noted surgeon associated with Sadar Hospital, Dr Ajit Kumar said that Jharkhand should implement Haryana Model of Clinical Establishment Act, under which nursing homes of private clinics of less than 50 beds have been exempted from taking registration under the Act.
“Act demands such a high investment to open a nursing home that a common doctor cannot afford its establishment and running cost,” Dr Ajit said.
