The Delhi government’s anti-corruption branch (ACB) is presently looking into claims of anomalies in the capital’s private nursing homes’ registration processes. The ACB has asked the health department for comprehensive information about the duties and responsibilities of seven former officials as a result of its investigation. RN Das, the Delhi health minister Saurabh Bharadwaj’s officer on special duty, is one of these officials; Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena suspended him. The former director general of health services, the chief district medical officer at the time, a second chief district medical officer, and other authorities are among the individuals who are being investigated.
The health department revealed that it had received a request from the ACB in response to a letter from the directorate of vigilance. Comprehensive biographical information as well as particular remarks or suggestions outlining the duties and responsibilities of each concerned officer were requested in this request. This request aims to shed light on these officials’ possible involvement in the purported anomalies in nursing home registrations.
The probe was initiated following a tragic fire at a nursing home in East Delhi’s Vivek Vihar, which resulted in the deaths of six newborns. The incident led to the arrest of two individuals, including the owner of the hospital and a doctor, highlighting severe lapses in safety and regulatory compliance. This tragedy has underscored the urgent need for strict adherence to regulations governing the operation of medical facilities.The suspension of RN Das was specifically linked to accusations of misbehavior concerning the illicit and unlicensed running of a Shahdara nursing home. This case is a component of a larger inquiry that aims to identify systemic problems and guarantee accountability from the authorities in charge of regulating and registering nursing homes in Delhi.
Concurrently, the healthcare industry has come under fire for a number of reasons. For instance, in response to a regulation from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), health PSU insurance companies in Kolkata have lately introduced policies that cover consumables and private attendants during hospital stays. By taking this action, patients’ financial burdens will be lessened and healthcare coverage would be enhanced.
Additionally, in a tragic incident in Daruvar, Croatia, a war veteran killed five people, including his mother, at a nursing home. This shooting underscores the need for stringent security measures in such facilities to protect vulnerable residents.
Meanwhile, in Kannur, Kerala, a health alert was issued after a child tested positive for amoebic encephalitis. Visitors were banned from Karakkund waterfall, and health officials advised caution for those who had recently visited the site. Medical teams have been inspecting the area to ensure safety and prevent further cases.These incidents demonstrate the many facets of the difficulties that the healthcare industry faces, ranging from increasing coverage and guaranteeing patient safety to overseeing regulations and complying with them. In order to solve these problems and raise the general standard of healthcare services, investigations are still underway, as are adjustments to policy.
SOURCE:
TIMES OF INDIA
