New Delhi: In a supplementary affidavit filed by the state health department, the Delhi state government has informed the High Court that they are "actively taking steps" to enact the Delhi Health Bill, 2022.

The writ plea was filed by Mr. Bejon Kumar Misra, a consumer policy expert, through his counsel, Mr. Shashank Deo Sudhi, seeking implementation of the Clinical Establishment (Registration and Regulation) Act 2010 and the closure of unauthorized pathological laboratories in Delhi. The plea filed by the counsel sought directions to formulate a policy for regulating the opening and running of pathological laboratories in the NCT of Delhi.

In response, in their affidavit dated October 12, the Delhi government stated that the Delhi Health Establishments (Registration & Regulation) Bill, 2022, or the Delhi Health Bill, 2022, has already passed various stages of finalization. The health department added that the bill provides for the regulation of clinical establishments rendering services in recognized systems of medicine in Delhi, including laboratories, prescribing minimum standards of facilities and services to be provided by them to safeguard the interests of patients and healthcare providers.

According to the affidavit, the provisions of the 2010 Act do not apply to the states in which the enactments specified under the Schedule of the Act are applicable and Delhi has its act, the Delhi Nursing Home Registrations Act, 1953. Hence, the 2010 Act will not be applicable in the state.

The affidavit revealed that a committee was constituted in January 2018 that finalized the Delhi Health Bill in 2019 and was approved by the state health minister. In September 2019, the bill was uploaded on the Delhi government website, inviting comments from the public. Thereafter, the bill was modified after receiving suggestions and comments. After various meetings were conducted to incorporate suggestions made to the bill, on April 27, the health minister approved the revised bill.

(Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/taking-steps-enact-delhi-health-bill-delhi-govt-hc-8214458/ )