With the enforcement of this act, it will be mandatory for nursing homes and hospitals to stabilise the condition of patients who need critical care before referring them to another hospital.

The AAP government is set to bring in the Delhi Health Bill to regulate the working of clinical establishments in the capital. The act will replace the need to implement the Clinical Establishments Act 2010, as suggested by the Union Health Ministry.

The Bill has been drafted by a committee formed by the health department and sent to the health secretary for final approval. The committee, in its draft, has defined emergency care services for all hospitals and nursing homes. With the enforcement of this act, it will be mandatory for nursing homes and hospitals to stabilise the condition of patients who need critical care before referring them to another hospital.

“Many lives are lost due to this administrative failure. Once the Bill is finalised, it will be the duty of the hospital to at least take initial care of the patient. The hospital/nursing home should offer first-aid to the patient,” said a senior Delhi government official.

However, single-doctor clinics are not under the purview of this Act. According to sources, representatives from Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Delhi Medical Association (DMA) had some reservations over the implementation of the Clinical Establishment Act 2010. A meeting was then held with these officials to alter the Act as per Delhi’s requirements.

“The Act has now been altered and all of them have agreed to the suggestions. We will now send the final draft to the health minister and put it up in the Delhi Assembly for the final nod,” said Sanjeev Khirwar, Secretary (Health), Delhi government.

The Bill will also lay down guidelines for compulsory registration of IVF centres, dental clinics and certain facilities at eye-care centres. As per the draft report, while there is a separate body for registration of dentists in the capital, there are no regulations for setting up a dental clinic.

But experts have raised their doubts over the Bill. “None of the office bearers from DMA were called to explain their views. Plus, there are so many Acts for practicing doctors all over India, and this is another Act being added to the list. While the mandatory registration of such centres is important, we are skeptical about the execution of this Bill…. Also, some services in IVF and eye-care centres are a part of day-care procedures and they do not have any mandatory registration,” said DMA president Dr Ashwani Goyal.