H&FW directive on licensing of hospitals, clinics

State Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) department on Tuesday issued a strong directive to all health centres, hospitals, and clinics in the state to strictly adhere to the licensing norms under the Nagaland Health Care Establishment Authority Act-1997 (NHCEA Act).
The Health department, which held detailed discussions on the matter, expressed serious concern over several health centres, hospitals, and clinics failing to adhere to the basic licensing norms under the Act.
Furthermore, in the interest of public safety and patient welfare, the Health department has directed all health centres, hospitals, and clinics to apply for renewal of their licence six months before the date of expiry.
The Health & Family Welfare department has also directed health centres, hospitals and clinics to first obtain licence before operationalisation of their establishments.
Meanwhile, the Health department has informed that pharmacies engaging doctors for consultation would be treated as clinics, adding that such establishments must mandatorily obtain a licence under Clause 9 of the Nagaland Health Care Establishment Authority Act-1997