PANJIM: Almost two years after passing Goa Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act in the State Assembly, the Cabinet on Wednesday accorded approval for its adoption as per which all clinical establishments operating within the State will have to register themselves with the Goa Council for Clinical Establishments, failing which they will have to face penal liabilities.
Addressing media persons, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the Act, which was not yet adopted in the State, is in lines with the Central government’s Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act (CEA). The CEA was enacted by the Central government since March 2012 and Goa was amongst one of the States, which was yet to adopt this law and make rules.
“The Cabinet has approved Rules under the Act. As per the Act, all the clinical establishments will have to strictly register themselves with the Directorate of Health Services (DHS), failing which penal action will be taken,” Sawant said.
The State Legislative Assembly had in August 2019 had passed the Goa Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Bill, 2019 to provide registration and regulation of clinical establishments in Goa and for that purpose, inter alia, seeks to constitute the Goa Council for Clinical Establishments.
Under the Act, that repeals the Goa Medical Practitioners’ Act 2004, the Government can now monitor the functioning of all such private clinical establishments. The Act also restricts government doctors and para-medical staff from working in private establishments.
As per the Bill passed in the Assembly, clinical establishments operating without registration will have to face summary closure of the facility with a fine of Rs 50,000 for first contravention, Rs two lakh for second contravention and Rs 5 lakh for subsequent contraventions.
