Sidhu allays docs’ fears on Clinical Establishment Act

CHANDIGARH: Allaying concerns regarding implementation of the ‘Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act’ in Punjab, health minister Balbir Singh Sidhu on Saturday assured the Punjab chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA) that all their genuine demands will be considered before finalising the draft of the Act.

The minister’s assurance comes a day after a delegation of IMA Punjab had met Sidhu on Friday to express their resentment over the government’s proposed move.

Assuring IMA Punjab to not worry as the government would take on board all stakeholders before taking any final decision, Sidhu said, “The Act will come into force for the welfare of patients as well as to set parameters for clinical establishments.”

In a statement, the minister reiterated that the state government was committed to ensuring best of health care facilities to all its citizens.

He also announced to hold a special meeting with Punjab Medical Association on November 25 to discuss the relevant issues of the Act.

Sidhu said that it has been brought to his notice by representatives of IMA Punjab and other stakeholders that they have many objections regarding the provisions of the Act, which may cause several technical hitches in practising medicine in the state and also affect the functioning of clinical establishments.

The Minister assured the associations that the state government would consider all submissions and objections raised by them regarding the Act.

He said a joint committee of health department and IMA Punjab would be constituted in

HE WILL MEET MEMBERS OF THE PUNJAB MEDICAL ASSOCIATION ON NOVEMBER 25

this regard. He said that before finalising the draft of the Act, the government will sort out the all relevant issues of the IMA and other stakeholders.