The Maharashtra state government is set to relax norms for daycare centres, nursing homes, and hospitals with up to 10 beds that are registered under the Mumbai Nursing Homes Registration Rules, 1949. This decision comes as a response to the challenges faced by small- and medium-sized hospitals in complying with the Maharashtra Nursing Homes Registration (Amendment) Rules, 2021, which have made it difficult for them to sustain operations.
As per media reports, Health Minister Prakash Abitkar stated, “We have decided to provide relaxation for daycare centres and nursing homes with up to 10 beds. This proposal will be presented in the upcoming assembly session for approval, followed by necessary amendments to the Nursing Homes Act. Our goal is to ensure that hospitals do not financially exploit patients while maintaining close government monitoring.”Abitkar also highlighted discussions held with the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and private doctors regarding the issue. “We want hospitals to be regulated without unnecessary harassment. Patients should receive proper services, and at the same time, private hospitals should not face undue difficulties,” he added.
A notification issued on January 14, 2021, introduced amendments to the Mumbai Nursing Homes Registration Rules, 1949. Since then, the IMA has consistently called for modifications, citing challenges faced by small healthcare facilities.
Earlier this month, Abitkar met private doctors and hospital representatives, recognizing their role in public health and addressing concerns about MJPJAY, biomedical waste management, and revised nursing home rules.IMA doctors highlighted the challenges of complying with regulations for 10-bed nursing homes, including staffing requirements, infrastructure mandates, and financial burdens. They cited difficulties in maintaining a medical officer on duty, midwives, nurses in shifts, designated waiting and examination areas, six-foot bed spacing, nursing stations, and high annual registration fees.
Dr. Sanjay Patil, National Secretary of the Hospital Board of India, welcomed the government’s decision. “We have been urging the government to ease regulations for private hospitals since the amendment of the Nursing Homes Act. Small- and medium-sized hospitals are struggling, with many shutting down due to these stringent norms. In rural areas, the situation is even worse due to regulatory challenges and harassment. It would be highly beneficial if the government extends relaxation to hospitals with up to 30 beds in rural areas,” he said.
Maharashtra has over 20,000 registered nursing homes and hospitals, including 850 in Pune, with more than 400 classified as small- and medium-sized. The proposed rule relaxations aim to ease operations for these facilities while maintaining quality patient care across the state.
