|
NCCE recommends efforts to facilitate adoption of CE Act by all states
|
|
Gireesh Babu, New Delhi
October 07 , 2024
|
|
|
The National Council for Clinical Establishments (NCCE) has recommended efforts to facilitate adoption of the Clinical Establishments (CE) Act, 2010 across the states in the country, for uniform implementation of the provisions as per the Act.
The Council also suggested drafting or modifying the standard treatment guidelines within the Act, since the existing ones are outdated and require update.
The Council, in its 14th meeting held on May 10, 2024, observed that one of the challenges in implementation of the CE Act is that it has not been adopted by 15 states. The Act comes into effect in the state upon its adoption, but despite numerous communications, many states are yet to adopt the Act.
It added that a DO (Demi Official) letter was issued on March 19, 2024, from the secretary of health and family welfare to the additional chief secretary of the states where the Act has not been adopted.
The Act is adopted and implemented by 15 States and Union Territories namely Jharkhand, Uttrakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Rajasthan, Mizoram, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Puducherry, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Andaman & Nicobar, Chandigarh and Jammu & Kashmir.
The Council recommended to "organize a national workshop to cover various aspects of implementing the CE Act, including Q&A sessions to address the queries and concerns of the states/UTs". It also advised to invite all states to participate in order to raise awareness about the Act and facilitate its adoption across the country.
A national workshop would also help to raise awareness about the Act and to define a comprehensive strategy to inform and educate various stakeholders about the key provisions, regulations, and significance of the Act.
Considering the topic of upgradation of standard treatment guidelines within the Act, the Council observed that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has developed Standard Treatment Workflows (STWs) for various diseases managed by the hospitals and physicians. So far, ICMR has prepared 124 Standard Treatment Workflows in 23 specialties and these standards are available on the ICMR website.
"The same may also be linked at National Clinical Establishments Portal," said the Council.
"The council suggested to draft/modify these standard treatment guidelines as per clinical establishments available in India like single clinic, polyclinic, primary, secondary, tertiary health care centers, district hospital settings etc. across various specialties," it added.
It may be noted that the National Clinical Establishments Portal 1.0 (NCEP), which has been developed of late to improve the functionality of the existing website, will have a comprehensive list of all clinical establishments, geolocation of these establishments, grievance redressal mechanism, online provisional and permanent registration, online payment of penalties and fees, and a monitoring mechanism for state and National Council.
The Council, during the meeting, also noted the issues with the initial website including that there is no mechanism allowing citizens to access or authenticate any registered clinical establishment authorized by the government. Additionally, it solely provides provisional registration and lacks provisions for permanent registration.
"There lacks a structured mechanism for the public to register grievances if they encounter challenges while availing healthcare services, such as medical treatment, insurance-related matters, or administrative issues. Moreover, payments for fees and penalties are conducted offline, lacking transparency," added the Council, while observing that the new portal has been developed by keeping these issues in mind.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOPICS
|
That foods might provide therapeutic benefits is clearly not a new concept. ...
|
|
|
|
|