3 hospitals shut in Dehradun after surprise inspections

Dehradun: Three hospitals in Dehradun were shut on Thursday after the health department, during a surprise inspection, found that these were operating without registration under the Clinical Establishments Act. The inspections were carried out a day after a fire at a private hospital in the city killed a 66-year-old woman and injured 16 others.

The inspection team, led by additional chief medical officer Dr Pradeep Rana, found that Doon Medicity Hospital in Kargi, Piles Care Hospital & Ayush Wellness Center in Jogiwala and Vinayak Health Care Hospital in Subhash Nagar were functioning without valid registration. The hospitals were ordered to cease operations immediately.

Chief medical officer Dr Manoj Sharma said, “We have given these hospitals an opportunity to comply with the norms and obtain registration. If they fail to do so, further action will be taken.”

Notices were issued to Hyatt Medical Centre on Shimla Bypass Road and M S Hospital in Nathanpur after doctors and other staff members were found absent during the inspection. Both hospitals have been asked to submit written explanations within three days.

At Paras Hospital Trauma & IVF Centre on Haridwar Bypass, the inspection team found no doctor on duty. Two staff nurses were also found working without registration with the Uttarakhand Paramedical Council. The hospital has been directed to furnish an explanation.

Sharma said action would be taken under the relevant provisions of the Clinical Establishments Act against those found violating norms.

Of the 16 people injured in Wednesday’s hospital fire, six remain critical, though doctors said their condition was gradually improving.

The CMO also inspected the under-construction building of Raipur Community Health Centre and directed officials to complete pending work within a week.