As per a circulation sent out by the Urban Development Department (UDD) last week, hospitals in Karnataka will be required to obtain a trade license. The government issued an order on October 7, which repealed the decision made last year that private hospitals and medical establishments would be exempt from obtaining a trade license.
This new order has been met with opposition from medical personalities. State Indian Medical Association (IMA) president HN Ravindra wrote to Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy to shed some light on the issue. “The requirement of obtaining a trade licence is not mandatory in several states. In our State, when even Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector does not require a trade licence, why is it mandatory for private medical establishments then? Our profession is involved in service to the community and not trading,” he said to the Hindu.
According to the latest reports, Ravindra will be meeting the CM later this week to discuss these developments, to voice the concerns of the medical fraternity.
This decision, however, was taken after the BBMP had allegedly stated that they had no control over private hospitals, which repeatedly failed to report suspected cases of swine flu, dengue and chikungunya.
Private medical facilities will now have to get a trade licence annually from the government by paying a fee of Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 (depending on the size and infrastructure of the facility).
Furthermore, it has been reported that these private healthcare establishments will also be required to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Pollution Control Board (PCB).
Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes’ Association (PHANA) president Madan S Gaekwad has stated that they will be challenging the new rule. “We have been told it is mandatory under the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act. We have also met the Urban Development Minister UT Khader in this regard,” he said.