12 private hospitals served show-cause notices over Apprenticeship scheme compliance

Srinagar: Twelve private hospitals and healthcare establishments in Srinagar have been served show-cause notices over their alleged failure to comply with directions for implementing the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS). 

The action followed a review meeting convened by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Srinagar, on September 21. During the meeting, private hospitals and nursing homes were directed to enrol under the apprenticeship programme and begin taking apprentices on priority.

The establishments were subsequently told to engage apprentices equal to 15% of their total staff strength and submit their registration and enrolment details by September 22. The CMO has sought a reply from each institution within two hours of receiving the notice, along with documents wherever compliance has already been completed.

The CMO has sought a response from each institution within two hours of receipt of the notices. The notices reportedly state that failure to furnish a response could invite further action under the applicable rules.

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The directive has also prompted opposition from private healthcare providers, who have questioned the financial burden of taking on apprentices. The Jammu and Kashmir Private Hospitals and Dialysis Centres Association (JKPHDA) has said many private hospitals are already facing financial pressure because payments under the Ayushman Bharat/SEHAT schemes have been pending for several months.

The association has argued that hospitals struggling to receive outstanding reimbursements may find it difficult to meet their share of apprenticeship-related expenses while continuing regular patient services.

According to the association, many private hospitals are already enrolled on the NAPS portal and publish vacancies whenever positions arise. It has therefore questioned the need for hospitals to maintain a fixed apprenticeship intake based on their total workforce.

The NAPS was launched by the Government of India in 2015 as an apprenticeship and skill-development framework. The current dispute in Srinagar centres on how its provisions should be implemented in private healthcare establishments and the financial responsibilities associated with engaging apprentices, reports Medical Buyer. 

For now, the 12 establishments are required to explain their position and submit supporting records within the deadline set by the CMO. Any further action will depend on the responses received from the institutions.