Discussion on ‘Patients’ Rights and Transparency Act 2017’

Mail News Service

Jhargram, March 3: A meeting West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission (WBCERC) was held in association with Jhargram District Administration and District Health Department. Commission’s Chairman Justice (Retired) Asim Kumar Banerjee, Secretary Arshad Hassan Warsi, Member Madhavi Das, District Magistrate Sunil Agarwal, Superintendent of Police Arijit Sinha and Chief Medical Officer (Health) Dr Bhuvan Chandra Hansda were present.

Interacting with the representatives of private hospitals, nursing homes and pathology centres at Sidhu Kanu Hall, WBCERC Chairman Asim Kumar Banerjee while laying special emphasis on medical and health services said that allround improvement was a key factor in health care of patients.

He elucidated on the guidelines of ‘Patients’ Rights and Transparency Act 2017.’ Representatives of hospitals, nursing homes, pathological labs and other health care units, spelt out  their problems and other hurdles being faced in the course of dispensing their health care services.

In the course of discussions, the WBCERC Chairman informed that ‘Patients’ Rights and Transparency Act 2017’ had been implemented since its launch in West Bengal the only state in India as the law acted as private health sector regulator in the entire state. “People in various urban areas, in Kolkata to be precise, and adjoining areas, are aware of the Commission and thus, lodge complaints. But there is a lack of information about the Commission in other backward districts. In the absence of an office, the work is being executed from the office of the Chief Health Officer of the district,” informed Asim Kumar Banerjee. Several important decisions were taken in consultation with health officials of 11 districts of South Bengal. As per major decisions taken in the meeting, detailed information about WBCERC would feature on display boards in every nursing home, diagnostic and pathological centres shortly; 24 x 7 helpline service will be launched that will enable the commoners to get medical attention