In a significant development for healthcare in Maharashtra, the state government has presented the Maharashtra Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Bill. This legislation, introduced by State Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, aims to create a unified and transparent regulatory framework for all healthcare facilities. The bill seeks to replace the outdated Maharashtra Nursing Homes Registration Act (XV of 1949) to regulate and register clinical establishments across the state.
Minister Abitkar emphasized that the shift from the old 1949 Act to the new 2026 framework signifies a modernized, digital-first approach to managing the vast network of public and private healthcare centers in Maharashtra. The current healthcare sector in Maharashtra has expanded significantly over the years, encompassing laboratories, day-care centers, clinics, and diagnostic hubs that operate without a comprehensive regulatory framework.
To address this regulatory gap and ensure adherence to minimum standards, the state government is proposing a new law modeled after the Parliament’s Clinical Establishments Act, 2010. The bill includes mandates to monitor healthcare quality, establish the Maharashtra State Council for Clinical Establishments, and set up local Clinical Establishments Registering Authorities for oversight.
Patients will now have legal rights to detailed information about their illness, diagnosis, treatment plan, and cost estimates. The legislation also empowers authorities to conduct inspections, maintain a state register, and enforce penalties for non-compliance. Minister Abitkar views this bill as a crucial step to standardize medical infrastructure, protect patients from overbilling, and regulate healthcare practices in Maharashtra.
