Private hospital regulation: In a landmark move, the West Bengal Assembly has passed a groundbreaking new bill aimed at tightening government control over private hospitals and safeguarding the interests of patients. Titled “The West Bengal Clinical Establishments (Registration, Regulation and Transparency) Amendment Bill 2025,” this legislation is expected to usher in a new era for the state’s healthcare system. For a long time, there have been allegations against private hospitals for imposing extra charges beyond the agreed package and a lack of transparency. This bill is a powerful step towards addressing all those complaints.
The Main Objectives and Features of the New Bill
The primary objective of this bill is to bring transparency to the financial activities of private hospitals and to stop the harassment of patients. Several important regulations have been introduced under this bill, which all private hospitals and nursing homes in the state will have to adhere to.
Key Benefits and Regulations:
- End to Extra Charges Beyond the Package: No extra charges can be levied beyond the package that is given at the time of the patient’s admission to the hospital. This is one of the biggest and most significant changes.
- Control Over Cost Escalation: If, for any reason, the cost of treatment exceeds the proposed amount, the rate of increase will be determined by the Health Department. Hospitals will not be able to increase charges at their will.
- Transparency and Regular Updates: If there is any change in the cost, the hospital authorities must immediately inform the Health Department. Additionally, the patient’s family must be informed about the treatment costs and the patient’s condition every 24 hours.
- Provision for Strict Penalties: Strict action will be taken against any hospital that violates these rules. In case of repeated violations, the hospital’s license may even be cancelled.
Importance for the General Public
This new bill is a great relief for the common people. Now, when seeking treatment in private hospitals, there will be much more transparency regarding costs. People will be freed from the burden of hidden extra charges in the name of packages. The passing of this bill marks the beginning of a new chapter in the state’s healthcare service system, where the rights of patients and their families are given the utmost importance. This step will further strengthen the state’s health infrastructure and help in building public trust.
