Special Correspondent
Pune: In response to directives from the state health department, the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) health department has ramped up its inspection efforts across hospitals in the city. The primary focus of these inspections is to assess the quality of healthcare services, eliminate obstacles to patient care, ensure adherence to the Patient Rights Charter, and verify compliance with regulations, including the display of tariff lists and toll-free numbers. During this initiative, six hospitals were found to have significant shortcomings, leading to notices being issued by the health department.
The PMC’s inspection drive follows reports of unauthorized medical treatments being conducted at certain facilities, as well as allegations of falsified patient records used to exploit benefits under the municipal urban poor scheme. In light of these concerns, the PMC has heightened its scrutiny of healthcare establishments in the city.
Hospitals, nursing homes, and private clinics within Pune are being urged to register with the municipal corporation as required by the Bombay Nursing Home Act of 1949. Starting Thursday, a special drive will be conducted to review hospitals in line with the Maharashtra Nursing Home Registration Rules of 2021. As part of this initiative, PMC carries out biannual inspections of nursing homes, utilizing a comprehensive checklist and medical teams from municipal zonal offices.
Pune is home to around 850 hospitals and more than 4,000 outpatient clinics. With increased state government oversight, the PMC has stepped up inspections to identify any lapses or violations. Hospitals found guilty of negligence will face strict penalties, according to officials from the health department.
During inspections, authorities also ensure the availability of fire safety systems and verify that patient records are maintained in accordance with prescribed guidelines. Regional medical officers, based at the zonal office level, have been assigned to conduct these checks, with any irregularities reported to the concerned parties through oral or written notices.
Under instructions from the Deputy Director of Health Services, Pune Division, these inspections are part of a special drive targeting registered hospitals within the municipal limits. Unregistered or unauthorized facilities identified during this campaign will face corrective action. The inspection drive will continue for a month.
