Punjab clears ordinance to bring in private hospitals under ambit for corona battle

Punjab:  The Punjab Cabinet led by Amarinder Singh on Friday approved the Punjab Clinical Establishment (Registration and Regulation) Ordinance 2020, to bring the state's private hospitals under the umbrella of the Covid-19 battle.

It was necessary for the private hospitals to join the battle against COVID-19, said Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, while chairing a video conference of the Council of Ministers.

The Chief Minister has been authorized by the Council of Ministers to approve the final draft of the Bill after its legal vetting.

Amarinder Singh said it was important to activate all the resources, in the larger interest of the state, in the light of the current battle, which threatens to be a long-drawn one.

The ordinance will provide for registration and regulation of clinical establishments in a professional manner to ensure compliance of clinical standards and protocols and transparency in the functioning of these establishments for fair and proper delivery of health services to the common man.

There would be no undue interference in day-to-day functioning of these establishments, as per the proposed legislation, which will, to begin with, be applicable to all clinical establishments of 50 beds and above as in the case of Haryana.

It is proposed that the Punjab Health Council may be headed by an expert or professional of national repute instead of a bureaucrat, with at least two other professionals as members.