CAG Scrutiny Spurs Maharashtra's First Health Policy

Maharashtra is set to introduce its inaugural health policy, prompted by scrutiny from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and the Bombay high court. The policy aims to significantly reform the healthcare sector by increasing transparency, quality, and accountability through enhanced monitoring of hospitals, medical professionals, drugs, and devices.

Drawing from national guidelines and recent reports, the policy includes a decade-long financial outlay of approximately ₹40,000 crore. It proposes grading healthcare establishments and implementing standard treatment guidelines. Patient rights, such as access to medical records and informed consent, will be legally mandated. A proposed empowered medical tribunal is intended to expedite resolution of complaints regarding medical negligence and treatment quality.

The state government faced criticism for not having a health policy and not adopting the Centre's Clinical Establishments Act. The new policy seeks to regulate unethical practices in the private sector, like inflated billing, and fix accountability through substantial fines and potential prosecution. Clinical trials will also undergo stricter ethical oversight. The policy aims to increase life expectancy, reduce infant mortality, and raise public health expenditure to 2.5% of GDP.