Delhi Medical Association asks govt to step in, help renew licenses

Nursing home owners said one of the reasons for the delay in renewal of registrations is the new fire-safety norms, which the government had notified in May last year after a massive blaze swept through Hotel Arpit Palace in Karol Bagh, killing at least 17 people.

The Delhi Medical Association (DMA) has asked the state government to look into the matter of a majority of nursing homes — many treating Covid-19 patients — operating with expired licences. The Delhi government has not renewed the registrations of such clinics, which expired on March 31.

The Delhi government said health minister Satyendar Jain has directed the department to renew licences of nursing homes till December 31, 2020. (Sonu Mehta/HT PHOTO)

The Delhi government said health minister Satyendar Jain has directed the department to renew licences of nursing homes till December 31, 2020.

But Delhi Medical Association officials said no order has been issued as yet.

Dr BB Wadhwa, president of DMA, said, “Till last year, the registration was renewed without any hassles. All we had to do was just apply for it. But with changes in the norms for fire safety last year, no registrations have been renewed. Due to this, owners are facing problems.”

Wadhwa said, “We have had several meetings with the health department, including those with health minister Satyendar Jain, in this regard. Two months ago, he had assured us that the registration will be renewed till December 31, 2020. But no order has been passed as yet.”