Decision is an example to other hospitals, nursing homes: Dr Kirti Bhushan

As the Delhi government cancelled the license of Max Hospital in Shalimar Bagh, DNA speaks to the Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Dr Kirti Bhushan, who played an active role in preparing the enquiry committee report and suggesting ways to the government.

This is the first time that any government has taken such a bold step against a major private hospital. How did this work out?

A life has been lost in this case. The baby survived for five more days in another private hospital. The hospital had registered the child as a stillbirth. When the baby was handed over to the patients, his heart was beating. As a result, we could not ignore the hospital's actions in this case. This is a case of error of judgement, where the hospital failed to understand the situation of the newborn.

What about the other private hospitals?

The decision will set an example to other hospitals and nursing homes. All these private institutes will now be more vigilant in dealing with sensitive cases. They will properly follow the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in all cases.

The hospital's licence has been cancelled. What will happen to the existing patients who are availing treatment there?

We have asked them to treat the existing patients till the time they are completely cured. For the rest, all the OPD services have been suspended with immediate effect. They cannot admit any new patient in the hospital.

Delhi still does not have the Clinical Establishment Act, so what is the government doing about this? (Recently, Union Health Minister JP Nadda also wrote to various CMs to enforce the act in their respective states)

We have submitted a report to the Secretary (Health) to introduce the Clinical Establishment Act in the Capital. The matter is being discussed with the stakeholders. The act, if enforced in Delhi, will help us in getting hold of the large number of diagnostic centres and pathology labs that are operating without following any guideline.