National workshop on accreditation of private hospitals

The Journal of the Qualified Private Medical Practitioners’ Association, Kerala, carries a short report of a national workshop organised by WHO, the government of India and the Medical Council of India, to finalise the minimum standards for registration and accreditation of private hospitals in the country.

The need for regulation of hospitals of all types was endorsed by the workshop, though it is necessary to categorise hospitals according to services provided on location, with separate guidelines. Every state shall have an assessment and accreditation council authorised to draw up minimum standards to be adopted by all hospitals in each state; to inspect and recommend to the government regarding accreditation, and draw optional higher standards for grading of hospitals.

Proposals prepared during an earlier workshop were discussed, and the position in each state was described. The Medical Council of India was authorised to nominate a sub-committee of doctors and legal experts to draft rules for the implementation of minimum standards for private hospitals, to be submitted to the central governemnt, which in turn may present this in the form of a bill at the next parliamentary session. The WHO has offered technical and financial assistance to develop packages for information, communication and training, as well as funding some pilot projects.