Gujarat to introduce digital registry for healthcare institutions

Healthcare Institutions: The much-awaited Gujarat Clinical Establishment (Registration and Regulation) Amendment Bill – 2025 was introduced in the Legislative Assembly on Friday.

The Gujarat government is set to launch a digital registry of all healthcare institutions, including hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and imaging centers, to ensure transparency, quality control, and effective emergency response.

Purpose of the Digital Registry

The initiative aims to:

• Develop public-centric policies for better healthcare delivery.
• Ensure legal backing for qualified and ethical medical practitioners.
• Regulate healthcare institutions by enforcing compliance with required standards.

Recent Healthcare Scandals in Gujarat

The move comes after two major hospital scams:

1. Khyati Hospital PM-JAY Scam – Allegations of fraudulent claims under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) scheme.
2. Rajkot Payal Maternity Home CCTV Footage Leak – A controversy involving privacy violations and ethical concerns.

Also read: BJP secures major victory in Gujarat local body polls

Key Provisions of the Bill

• Mandatory Registration: All hospitals, nursing homes, dispensaries, clinics, and sanatoriums must register under the new law.
• Regulation of Laboratories: Facilities offering pathological, bacteriological, genetic, radiological, chemical, and biological testing services must also obtain certification.
• Penalties for Violations: Medical institutions failing to meet standards or engaging in unethical practices will face strict penalties.

This landmark reform is expected to enhance accountability, improve healthcare standards, and safeguard patients’ rights across Gujarat.