IMA Kerala raises concern over Clinical Establishments Act, small hospitals at risk
Doctor
Thiruvananthapuram: Seeking relief for small hospitals and clinics, the Kerala unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has announced plans to hold protest demonstrations outside District Medical Offices across the State on Friday, February 13.
The association has voiced serious apprehension over the consequences of the Kerala Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2018, arguing that its provisions place an undue burden on small hospitals and clinics and threaten their viability. The proposed agitation is aimed at drawing the attention of authorities to the difficulties faced by such establishments and pressing for appropriate exemptions.
The decision to stage the protest was taken after the State working committee held a meeting on Sunday, and almost 280 members participated in the meeting. The Kerala State branch has urged the government to implement the Act in such a manner that small hospitals and clinics can maintain their infrastructure to provide affordable and accessible care to the public.
Talking to Medical Dialogues, State president of the IMA, M.N. Menon stated, “I must agree that introducing the Kerala Clinical Establishments Act was an effective way to ensure proper healthcare services. However, currently, other than consultation clinics, no other hospitals have been exempted from the provisions of the Act. It is necessary to initiate legal amendments to confirm that these clinics are prepared with the basic infrastructure required for diagnosis and treatment.”
“IMA pointed out that an exemption should be there for small hospitals, especially those with up to 15 beds. These hospitals play an important part in delivering affordable healthcare to people in rural areas. Government has been giving a positive reaction to our demands, but it is important to understand that small clinics should not come under the same rules as the large hospitals,” he added.
Small hospitals and clinics play a crucial role in Kerala’s healthcare network by keeping medical expenses affordable, making it essential for them to remain operational. Other than staging a protest on 13th February, IMA has also decided to stage a dharna in front of the Secretariat, raising the issue on February 21.
