5.3.1 Regulation of clinical establishments and improving the quality of healthcare institutions The High Level Group is of the view that it is imperative for the health and safety of the population to enforce minimum standards on clinical establishments in both the private and public sectors by laying down minimum standards and enforcing them rigorously. The Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Bill, 2007 having been introduced in the Parliament it would important to ensure that it becomes law at the earliest and that it enters into force for all the States and its applicability does not remain limited to four States and Union Territories. The next step would be for the proposed National Committee to set appropriate standards for all categories of clinical establishments.
Implementation of the minimum standards will only be the initial step for improving the quality of healthcare institutions in the country. The next step for improving their quality should be for all stakeholders to advocate that these institutions take advantage of the accreditation system already established in the country. It would be important for the Central and State Governments to take steps to enable the clinical establishments in the public sector also to avail of the accreditation system.
