New bill to keep a check on pathlabs, clinics

If the Clinical Establishment Bill is passed in the monsoon session of the Maharashtra assembly, all medical laboratories and diagnostic centres will have to register with the State Council

If the Clinical Establishment Bill is passed in the monsoon session of the Maharashtra assembly, all medical laboratories and diagnostic centres will have to register with the State Council

In a move that aims to do away with fake medical professionals, the state government plans to introduce the Clinical Establishment Bill in the upcoming monsoon session of the state assembly. If passed, all medical laboratories and diagnostic centres will have to be registered with a State Council. The proposed bill will also make it obligatory for clinical establishments to provide treatment to anyone who comes in a critical condition.



The Bill stipulates the formation of a State Council and a district registering authority, thereby making sure that the qualification of those registering is verified. The registering authority will also have powers to inspect medical establishments at all times and take action if they are found violating rules.

The Bill would bring under its purview all establishments including sanitariums, pathology laboratories, diagnostic centres, radiology centres, clinics, dispensaries and hospitals. Currently all that clinics and other establishments have to do is register with the municipal authorities.

The Bill will also ensure that authorities have a record of all establishments that operate in the state and will be able to regulate them. Earlier, the state Health Department did not have details of all medical establishments, but if the Bill is implemented, it will be mandatory for all medical practitioners to register, and all the data collected by the district registering authorities will be sent to the State Council, which in turn will send it to the National Council.