Indore CARE Hospital served notice after inspection flags alleged violations

Indore: A private hospital in Indore has been issued a one-month notice proposing the cancellation of its nursing home registration after a government inspection reportedly uncovered multiple alleged violations related to infrastructure, fire safety, staffing, and clinical operations.

According to the news reports, Care CHL Hospital, a unit of CARE Hospitals, received the notice dated May 29, 2026, from the Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO), Indore, under Section 6(1) of the Madhya Pradesh Nursing Home and Clinical Establishments (Registration and Licensing) Rules, 1997, as amended in 2021.

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The action follows an inspection ordered by the CMHO office, during which authorities reportedly identified 11 categories of alleged violations across various departments of the hospital.

The development comes at a significant time for CARE Hospitals, the Blackstone-backed hospital chain, which is currently undergoing a merger with Aster DM Healthcare. Following the transaction, the combined listed entity will operate under the name Aster DM Quality Care Limited and will include Aster DM, CARE Hospitals, KIMSHEALTH, and Evercare Hospitals. The merged network is expected to comprise 38 hospitals with more than 10,150 beds across 27 cities.

The notice points out alleged non-compliance across many departments of the hospital. “Documents related to the AMC (Annual Maintenance Contract) and CMC (Comprehensive Maintenance Contract) for the STP, WTP, LIFT, and Fire Fighting System were not presented in the office to date, despite verbal requests during the inspection and subsequent phone reminders,” said the notice, reports the Economic Times.

Inspectors reportedly found that three pathology laboratory technicians lacked registration with the Madhya Pradesh Paramedical Council. In the blood bank, a technician's registration had allegedly expired in 2014, making the individual ineligible to work under existing regulations.

The inspection also raised concerns about the hospital's infrastructure and emergency preparedness. Authorities noted that the main entrance had been blocked with a plywood partition, leaving the emergency ward entrance as the sole access point for the facility. Inspectors observed that this arrangement effectively eliminated a separate fire exit and resulted in incorrect fire-exit signage.

"Due to inadequate space in the OPD, several doctors' cabins are built very close to each other. The lack of sufficient space causes extreme difficulty for patients and their attendants to move around, which could be dangerous in an emergency. There was no rate list displayed in the OPD department for the information of patients. There is no provision for clean drinking water, a complaint which was reported by patients to the inspection team members," said the notice, reports the Economic Times.

In the emergency department, inspectors alleged the presence of unregistered doctors, absence of duty rosters, lack of uniforms, improper biomedical waste handling, and inadequate toilet facilities. A patient bed was also reportedly found obstructing a fire exit.

Pharmacy-related observations included the absence of stock registers, improper storage of vaccines and antibiotics in shared refrigeration without temperature monitoring, and non-compliant storage of expired medicines. Narcotic drugs were reportedly not kept under double-lock security as required.

The notice also highlighted concerns within critical care units. In the Cardiac ICU, inspectors reported that bed numbers exceeded available space and that staff members were unable to confirm the official bed count. Doctors holding foreign medical qualifications were reportedly on duty, but their Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) certificates were not produced during inspection. Similar concerns were raised regarding the absence of duty rosters.

The Neurosurgery ICU was also found to be overcrowded, with 12 beds allegedly accommodated in inadequate space. Fire-exit signage in the unit was not displayed in the prescribed manner, according to the notice.

The notice further stated that the floor of the Cardiac OT was broken. A cardiac monitor and machine were kept on a wooden box. The OT walls did not have tiles or antibacterial coating and were only painted. Other major operation theatres showed seepage and cracks on the walls. Rust was observed on the iron pipes of OT lights and OT tables at various locations, posing a potential risk of infection.

Additionally, an MRI machine was found to be unregistered under PNDT records, with no supporting installation or purchase permissions available. The CMHO has indicated that this issue will be referred separately to the appropriate PCPNDT authority.

Officials noted that such notices allow hospitals a defined response window and do not result in immediate cancellation. The hospital is expected to submit its reply and supporting documentation before any final regulatory decision is taken.

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