DAC directs fresh registration of UCs, Diagnostic Labs operating in Jammu

Recommends re-sealing of Diagnostic Centers violating PC&PNDT Act

JAMMU: On the recommendation of Directorate of Health Services, Jammu, the District Administration today took note of the unauthorized functioning of several Ultrasound Clinics and Diagnostic Centers (Labs) in the Winter Capital City and directed approval for their fresh registration / renewal of registration under the Pre-Conception & Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act.

According to official sources, the District Administration has approved fresh registration and also renewal of registration of 10 different Ultrasound Clinics under PC&PNDT Act, most of which are located in the Winter Capital City and its close vicinity. Their names could not be ascertained immediately.

It is pertinent to mention here that taking cognizance of a news story carried by The News Now with title “Mushrooming private clinics, diagnostic labs turn Jammu city into illegal trade centre” in its edition dated 10th November, 2017, the Directorate of Health Services Jammu had constituted various inspection teams to check legal status of Ultrasound Centers, Diagnostic Labs, Clinics of different private hospitals etc operating in the Winter Capital.

Sources further informed that in this regard, a meeting of District Advisory Committee (DAC) was held here Thursday, which was chaired by Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Jammu, Arun Manhas on behalf of Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Kr. Rajeev Ranjan.

The Advisory Committee also gave its recommendation for re-sealing of all those Diagnostic Centers (Labs), which were found not complying with the PC&PNDT Act, in the presence of authorities and cancel their registrations.

“We recommended re-sealing of the Diagnostic Centers as it has come to our notice that some of them, which were sealed by National Inspection & Monitoring (NIMC) team during their visit to Jammu last month, have reopened their Centers (Labs) without seeking due permission from the concerned authorities,” Arun Manhas, ADC, Jammu said while talking to The News Now.

“By recommending their re-sealing, we want that the same is done in the presence of a Magistrate so that no one dares to violate the directions,” he added.

The sources further divulged that the District Advisory Committee was also directed to seek legal opinion on all those cases, which have been recommended by the NIMC.

Meanwhile, a senior official from Directorate of Health Services said, “During last about one month, our teams had conducted inspection visits to a number of Ultrasound Centers, Diagnostic Labs, Private Clinics etc in Jammu, where they checked their registrations as well as inspected the equipments and other gadgets being used for tests etc.”

“The concerned operators, whose licenses were found expired and not renewed for years together, besides those, who had not applied at all, were also served notices to apply afresh with all requisite formalities,” he said, adding, “Our inspections will continue and thrust is on providing better and safe healthcare to the suffering masses.”

However, it may be recalled here that the Health Department had ordered closure of several illegal healthcare establishments, consultation clinics etc in Jammu, which included Hardas Orthopedic OPD Clinic at Gadhigarh, near Jammu Airport; Hargun OPD Clinic at Gandhi Nagar, Fortis Escorts OPD Clinic at Trikuta Nagar and Amandeep Multi-specialty OPD Clinic at Greater Kailash.

These private clinics/establishments were found operating in violation of norms of Nursing Homes & Clinical Establishments and without proper registration from the Health Department.