UP: Illegal Hospitals, Path Labs to face SHUTDOWN for violating MCI norms

Breaking of seals and admitting patients is a serious matter. It is a criminal activity-- Director, Health Department

Agra: Few hospitals, nursing homes, pathology labs and x-ray centres which were earlier sealed by the health department last year and voluntarily resumed functions without any checks have come under the scanner of district administration and health department for violating the standard norms laid down by the state government and Medical Council of India (MCI).

According to media reports, these healthcare centres were reopened after being sealed last year and were found being operated without any checks. The health department is set to take legal action against those found operating them.

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Speaking on the violation, Deputy Director, health department, Dr Anil Kumar Mittal told the TOI, “Breaking of seals and admitting patients is a serious matter. It is a criminal activity. CMO will be asked to provide a clarification in this regard. Time-bound action will be ensured.”

Last year, the health department had lodged FIRs against 35 illegal health centres out of a total 54 sealed during raids in Agra district. These hospitals, nursing homes and pathology labs were not registered with the department besides that they did not even have a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB). A majority of the illegal hospitals had no permanent doctor on duty. The centres were run by unqualified individuals, reports the TOI.

A per a health department official, an annual renewal of the registration of hospitals will be conducted on basis of spot verification by a five-member team led by a magistrate.

A two-member team of city magistrates along with health department officials will launch an investigation drive from May 25 against the illegally operating healthcare centres. The health department officials will shut down these centres and strict actions will be taken against them.

In case, these centres will be found operating without a valid permit, an FIR will be registered against their management.

Mukesh Kumar Vats, Chief medical officer informed the TOI, “After declaration of Lok Sabha election results on May 23, we are going to start a joint campaign along with the district administration against unauthorized medical centres and those violating standard norms.