Pune: Show-cause notice to KEM Hospital for non-compliance with acts

Pune: Taking cognizance of alleged irregularities and violations of various acts, the state health department served a show cause to King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital and asked to submit a report specifying the reasons why the institute should not be sealed.

Asking the hospital authorities why the government should not file a case against them, Dr Radhakishan Pawar, deputy director of health services clarified that the hospital has made repeated multiple violations in the past which could potentially put the patient's health at risk. In addition, he also said that the hospital did not comply and paid no serious need to a previous notice.

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The hospital considered one of the foremost in the state was served a notice earlier following a surprise inspection by the health department in December last year. During the inspection, it was found that the hospital allegedly violated the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act 2021 and Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021; PC-PNDT Act; Bio-Medical Waste Rules 2016; and Maharashtra Nursing Home Registration Act 1949 and Regulations 2021.

The hospital was asked to provide a hard copy due to the significant deficiencies but allegedly responded to the notice via email. This promoted the health department to reinspect the facilities. On March 13, a team of officials visited the hospital and found that the hospital had not carried out any compliance.

Terming their action as "Wrong and Misleading", Dr Pawar said, “The hospital submitted a letter to our last notice without any compliance. This will hamper the healthcare services provided to patients."

In response, the state health department recently issued another show-cause notice asking them to complete the compliance on priority and submit the report. They have also asked the hospital to explain why it should not be sealed and should not be held legally accountable for breaking regulations.

Denying the allegations, Dr Madhur Rao, senior deputy medical administrator at KEM Hospital said the hospital has received satisfactory response from other departments and no such violation of acts have been made.

As per the HT news report, Dr Rao said, “There have been no violations of any of the provisions of any of the statutes applicable to the hospital, including the Bombay Nursing Home Registration Act 1949 and Rules 2021; Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act 2021 and Rules and Regulations passed thereunder; PC-PNDT Act 1994 and the amendment in 2002 and Rules passed thereunder; ART (Regulation) Act 2021 and Surrogacy (Regulation) Act 2021; and BMW Rules 2016 etc. at KEM Hospital, Pune at any time.

The concerned appropriate authorities and various officials from the health department, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), and other departments have expressed their satisfaction and entered remarks as ‘satisfactory compliances’ during periodic inspections carried out under the provisions of the above-mentioned statutes at KEM Hospital, Pune from time to time."

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