Nashik civic body issues notices to 21 private hospitals over regulatory violations

According to official records, 625 registered private hospitals and nursing homes are operating under NMC's jurisdiction. Under existing regulations, these healthcare facilities are required to renew their licenses every three years, while the civic body conducts inspections twice a year to ensure compliance with prescribed rules. 

Speaking to the TOI, a senior official from the NMC's health and medical department has informed, “This is an improvement notice issued to 21 private hospitals found to be non-compliant with norms related to electrical audits, fire safety and other mandatory requirements that must be fulfilled periodically. We have given them an ultimatum of one week to comply, failing which strict action will be initiated. This may include cancellation of licences if the hospitals continue to ignore the directives".

However, last month, the civic body conducted inspection drives across the city to verify license renewals and ensure compliance with legal standards. More than 100 employees from the NMC's health department and staff from the municipal body's 30 Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs) were deployed for the inspection.

Inspection teams examined registration and licensing documents, mandatory certificates, details regarding staffing and bed capacity, the display of rate cards, and other operational requirements. This exercise revealed violations across 21 hospitals. 

In response, civic officials stated that this drive is part of ongoing efforts to enhance patient safety, ensure high-quality healthcare services, and increase transparency in private medical institutions.

Meanwhile, similar inspections will now be conducted every six months to ensure continued compliance with regulations.