LG orders ACB Probe into registration, regulatory management of private nursing homes

After the death of seven newborns in a fire in the city’s nursing home, Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on Monday ordered a comprehensive ACB probe into the registration and regulatory management of private nursing homes in the national capital. In a note to the chief secretary, Mr Saxena cited ‘total absence of ministerial oversight, sheer mismanagement, criminal neglect and connivance of government officials” in granting and renewing registration of nursing homes.

The note said: “I have taken a very stern view in the matter. Though this is a transferred subject, in larger public interest, I am forced to step in, on account of the lack of seriousness on part of authorities entrusted with these responsibilities.”

A Raj Niwas official said the ACB probe will assess as to how many nursing homes are functioning without valid registrations and whether those which have valid registration are complying with prescribed norms as provided under Delhi Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1953 and the Rules made thereunder.

Pointing out that the incident had put a serious question mark on ministerial responsibility in a matter directly related to health and lives of residents of Delhi, the LG has said that even after a tragedy of this magnitude, which should have stirred the conscience of political leadership, I am disappointed that the chief minister and minister have paid only lip service and given sound bites, finding alibis and shirking responsibility. Administration cannot be run on social media, nor by brushing such serious matters under the carpet.

“I am given to understand that there are 1190 nursing homes, of which more than a quarter are operating without a valid registration. Also, there are many nursing homes in the city which have never applied for a registration but are still operating. Even those nursing homes, which have a valid registration, may not be meeting the safety and regulatory standards as prescribed in The Delhi Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1953 and the Rules made thereunder.”

“The very existence of such nursing homes that serve the poor and not so well off sections of the society, speaks volumes on the larger issue of severe lack of public health infrastructure in the National Capital as well.  This is a larger issue which has been left neglected, contrary to the claims in public domain,” the LG said.  

He has further noted, “In the matter at hand regarding the tragic fire in the nursing home, as detailed at para 116, the ACB is directed to undertake a comprehensive inquiry into the registration of nursing homes in the city to assess how many nursing homes are functioning without valid registrations and whether those which have valid registration are complying with prescribed norms as provided under Delhi Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1953 and the Rules made thereunder.”

The LG has directed that, “It may be clearly ascertained during investigation whether the grant of registration or its renewal by the Health Department was done after 100 percent site inspection. Is there a proper check list to ensure whether the facility meets the requisite safety norms and has the medical infrastructure and professionals as provided under law?

Apart from this, the Chief Secretary has been directed, “to advice all District Magistrates to have a field verification done of their respective areas within two weeks to ascertain the actual number of functional nursing homes, which can then be compared with the list of the Health Department. This would give a sense of the magnitude of the problem and the extent of violations prevalent in the city.”