Warns of action against institutions violating Act
Jahangeer Ganaie
Kulgam, Aug 03 :
The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Kulgam has directed all private hospitals and healthcare institutions in the district to ensure that only duly qualified and registered medical practitioners are engaged for providing medical services, warning that violations of the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2019, will invite strict legal action.
The order, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) follows directions from the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir (DHSK), and the Administrative Department, which have called for strict implementation of the provisions of the National Medical Commission Act across private healthcare institutions.
According to the order, all private hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and other healthcare institutions operating in Kulgam have been instructed to ensure that only medical practitioners possessing valid registration with the National Medical Commission or the concerned State Medical Council are allowed to undertake clinical practice, prescribe medicines, perform medical procedures, issue medical certificates and provide patient care.
The CMO has also directed all institutions to thoroughly verify the educational qualifications, professional credentials and registration status of doctors engaged on a full-time, part-time, contractual, visiting, honorary or consultant basis.
Besides verification, the institutions have been asked to maintain updated records of registration certificates, educational qualifications, appointment orders and other relevant documents of every medical practitioner and produce them before the competent authority whenever required.
The order further states that any deficiency, irregularity or unauthorized engagement identified during internal verification must be rectified immediately in accordance with the provisions of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, and other applicable laws and regulations.
Holding the management accountable, the CMO said that the Head of the Institution, Managing Director, Administrator or Medical Superintendent will be personally responsible for ensuring compliance with the statutory provisions and preventing any violations within their respective institutions.
To verify implementation of these directions, the CMO’s office has announced that an inspection team will be constituted to conduct checks in private hospitals and healthcare institutions across the district.
During the inspections, institutions will be required to produce registration certificates, qualification documents, appointment orders and other statutory records for scrutiny. They have also been directed to extend full cooperation to the inspection teams.
The order warns that concealment of facts, submission of incorrect information, failure to produce records or obstruction during inspections will be viewed seriously and may result in action under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, and other applicable laws.
The move is aimed at ensuring that only qualified and legally registered doctors provide healthcare services in private institutions, thereby strengthening patient safety, accountability and compliance with regulatory standards in the district—(KNO)