Home / Health / Kerala Eases Rules for Small Hospitals
Kerala Eases Rules for Small Hospitals
13 Mar
Summary
- Kerala government offers concessions to small hospitals for easier registration.
- Small hospitals faced practical challenges with the Clinical Establishments Act.
- Revised checklist simplifies compliance for hospitals under 15 beds.
The Kerala government is implementing concessions for small hospitals concerning the Kerala Clinical Establishments Act. This decision follows negotiations with the Indian Medical Association and representatives of small and medium hospitals, who had highlighted practical difficulties in complying with the Act.
The Kerala Clinical Establishments Council, the implementing body, stressed that all clinical establishments must register. However, the government has indicated concessions for smaller institutions, particularly in the assessment phase. This initiative seeks to support small hospitals and ensure their continued operation within the regulatory structure.
A senior health official confirmed that the assessment checklist for hospitals with 1-50 beds has been significantly reduced for smaller facilities. The revised checklist, tailored for clinics and small hospitals with up to 15 beds, now focuses on essential aspects like basic facilities, patient safety, hygiene, and infection control.
This simplified process is expected to enable small hospitals to complete assessments swiftly and continue providing public services without significant compliance issues. District registering authorities have been instructed to conduct assessments using this newly revised checklist.
