IMA AP urges Amendments to Clinical Establishment Act, Exemption for small hospitals
Vijayawada: Indian Medical Association (IMA) state president Dr G Nandakishore has called for crucial amendments to the Clinical Establishment Act, urging the state government to exempt smaller healthcare facilities from its purview.
Addressing the media on Thursday, Dr Nandakishore emphasized that clinics and small to medium-sized hospitals with fewer than 50 beds should be excluded from the Act, a move that several other states have already implemented in response to IMA’s earlier appeals.
According to the Hans India, he also raised serious concerns over the increasing incidents of violence against doctors. Highlighting the need for stronger legal safeguards, Dr Nandakishore suggested aligning state laws with the Central government’s recommendations. Referring to Act 11/2008, currently in place to address such issues, he proposed a significant amendment, which is increasing the punishment for assaults on doctors from three to seven years of imprisonment. This change, he noted, would render such offenses cognizable, ensuring stricter enforcement and better protection for healthcare professionals.
Dr Nandakishore also discussed the need for reforms under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, proposing the tagging of pregnant women as a measure to protect expectant mothers and their unborn children. He attributed the rising cost of healthcare to high government-imposed taxes, particularly the excessive Goods and Services Tax (GST) on medicines, medical equipment, hospital beds, and health insurance. He appealed to both the Central and State governments to reduce these financial burdens, pointing out that 18 percent GST on Health insurance, reports the Daily.
Reaffirming IMA’s commitment to maternal and child welfare, Dr Nandakishore pointed to the World Health Organisation’s theme this year that is “A Healthy Start for a Hopeful Future”, and assured that the association is actively working to highlight doctors’ concerns that do not require government expenditure but still demand attention. He expressed confidence that IMA doctors across the state are ready to support the Chief Minister’s vision of a “Healthy AP.”
IMA state secretary Dr M Subhash Chandrabose also addressed the media, dismissing mixopathy — the practice of integrating different medical systems — as impractical for India and urged its discontinuation. He highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s leadership role in promoting the HPV vaccine for cervical cancer prevention, noting that 800 out of the state’s 23,000 doctors have already been trained in administering the vaccine.
