In a significant crackdown on healthcare malpractices, health authorities in Palamu district have sealed a total of 31 private clinics and hospitals between August and October for serious violations of the Clinical Establishment Act.
Major Healthcare Crackdown Underway
The extensive drive against non-compliant medical facilities has revealed that 14 of the sealed establishments were operating with provisional registration certificates while still flouting regulations. District Commissioner Sameera S has taken a firm stance, directing the civil surgeon to maintain relentless pressure against all such erring entities.
"There must not be any laxity in shutting down unregistered private clinics and hospitals," emphasized DC Sameera S, underscoring the administration's zero-tolerance approach toward healthcare violations.
Three-Member Committee Formed for Enforcement
To ensure systematic monitoring and enforcement, the district administration has established a specialized three-member committee with significant powers. This committee comprises the medical officer in-charge of the community health centre, the officer in charge of the respective police station, and the circle officer of the respective circle office.
This empowered team has been authorized to conduct surprise inspections at any private clinic or hospital to verify compliance with established medical norms and standards.
Ayurvedic Center Performing Surfaces Among Violators
Civil surgeon Dr Anil Kumar Sriwastwa revealed a particularly alarming case where a registered private hospital with a one-year provisional certificate was sealed for serious protocol deviations. "This hospital was authorized to provide Ayurvedic system of medicine but was illegally conducting surgeries like removal of gallstones," Dr Sriwastwa explained.
The health department has identified a troubling pattern where private clinics and hospitals located in Harihurganj block limits serve as operating grounds for quacks from neighboring Bihar. These unqualified practitioners exploit the proximity to the state border, slipping back into Bihar whenever health department drives intensify.
A common red flag among these problematic facilities is their consistent failure to provide essential treatments including anti-rabies vaccination and anti-snake venom injection, despite claiming to offer comprehensive healthcare services.
Positive Impact on Maternal and Child Health
Health department sources report that the ongoing crackdown has already yielded positive results, with a noticeable decline in mother-child fatalities during caesarean operations and post-operative care. This improvement highlights the critical importance of regulating healthcare facilities that often claimed to provide safe deliveries and childcare while actually endangering both mothers and babies.
Dr Sriwastwa confirmed that the drive against fake healthcare units will be further intensified in the coming months, signaling the administration's commitment to ensuring quality medical care for Palamu residents.
