Charitable trust hospitals found violating rules will face strict action, warns Maharashtra minister

Mumbai, Jul 7 (PTI) Maharashtra minister Shambhuraj Desai on Tuesday warned of taking strict action against hospitals run by charitable trusts if they fail to comply with the prescribed rules. Replying to a question in the legislative council, Desai, who belongs to the Shiv Sena, said a special inspection drive will be conducted through district-level committees to verify compliance with requirements, such as display dashboards, implementation of government health schemes, and other mandatory conditions. In response to questions, Madhuri Misal, Minister of State in the Urban Development Minister, said it is mandatory for charitable trust hospitals to display dashboards providing information about free treatment facilities. However, many hospitals have still not complied with this requirement. Such hospitals have been issued fresh instructions, and compliance will be monitored through appointed "Arogya Doot" (Health Volunteers), she said. Desai, who handles tourism and mining portfolios, stated that district-level committees have been constituted across the state to monitor such hospitals. These committees should hold regular meetings and ensure that hospitals are complying with all applicable rules, he said. Instructions will also be issued to Additional District Collectors, who serve as Member Secretaries of these committees, to immediately launch a special inspection drive. Any hospital found violating the prescribed norms will face stringent action. The minister said the government is also closely monitoring complaints regarding excessive charges being levied on patients. If necessary, the government will consider appointing special public prosecutors to handle such cases. Furthermore, it is mandatory for all eligible charitable trust hospitals to effectively implement government health schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). Special instructions will be issued to district-level committees and Member Secretaries to ensure compliance, he said. Hospitals that continue to violate the rules even after inspections will face strict action, Desai added. PTI PR NP