Latest news with #ClinicalEstablishmentAct
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
TN dental council initiates probe after patient deaths
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Dental Council has said it will initiate proceedings against a dentist in Vaniyambadi after The Lancet report linked eight patient deaths in 2023 to neuromyeloidosis, a bacterial brain infection contracted at his clinic in Tirupattur district. The dentist, Dr S Arivarasan, however, said the samples the authors picked may not be an indication of "negligence" or "unhygienic" practices, and there is no ban on him opening new clinics or practising dentistry. On Friday, state dental council executive committee member Dr J Baby John said the council will inquire about the incident. "We have not received any complaints from patients, their attenders, or govt agencies so far. We came to know about this only from the TOI news report. We will initiate an inquiry based on the report," he said. An investigation report by a team of doctors at CMC Vellore, ICMR-NIE, and Tamil Nadu directorate of public health published in the medical journal revealed an unsterile surgical instrument called a periosteal elevator was used to open a saline bottle, which was then loosely sealed and reused for at least 10 people, who all contracted the infection. The authors said the 80% fatality in 2023 may be because the bacteria in the saline travelled directly along nerve pathways when used to clean the patients' mouths during procedures, rather than through the bloodstream. Dr Arivarasan, who was practising in VTS Dental Clinic until Dec 2024, moved into Arivu Dental Clinic in Jan. He continues to practice dentistry in his new clinic, he told TOI. "The VTS clinic was closed for two months in 2023 after an allegation against me by a patient's relative. Samples from my clinic were drawn during this period. I was neither told it was for scientific research, nor were they sharing results with me. I reopened the clinic two months later after the joint director of public health gave me a clean chit. The only feedback I got from the team was a recommendation to use a disposable saline bottle. I do that," he told TOI. "There is no ban on me to practice," he said. Tirupattur joint director of public health Dr V Gnana Meenakshi said she submitted a detailed report to the collector on the action taken against the dentist and the clinic, but refused to reveal further details. Tirupattur collector K Sivasoundaravalli did not respond to calls or messages. Officials in the state DMS, in charge of registering clinics under the Clinical Establishment Act, said they were still gathering details from the district. Meanwhile, the Indian Dental Association has told the council that further investigations were required as researchers drew samples from a clinic that was closed for more than two months. Scientists, including officials from the state directorate of public health, have said that they found the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei in saline samples. "It's not unusual, but we don't know when it was contaminated. There is nothing to prove that this led to the deaths," said IDA state secretary Dr K P Senthamarai Kannan. Vellore: Christian Medical College said the govt health authorities have contained the outbreak of neuromeliodosis with 10 just cases in the state. The CMC in a press release said this reflects on the strong public health system of Tamil Nadu through collaborative efforts with the scientific teams at NIE, Chennai, and CMC Vellore. "There were 21 cases identified through active and passive case searches with the help of district public health authorities. Of 21 cases, 11 were sporadic exposure to surface water and agricultural activities and 10 had undergone dental procedures. The dental clinic in Tirupattur was investigated to identify the source of contamination, and the bacteria were isolated from an in-use daline bottle," said the release. "The outbreak was controlled with 10 cases, immediately after recognition, and no further fatalities were reported. In cases without any history of dental procedures, increased exposure to soil or water in agricultural fields might have led to the development of the disease," said the release
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Exempt small hospitals from CEA: Indian Medical Association to government
Hyderabad: The Indian Medical Association (IMA), Telangana, on Tuesday requested the health department to exempt hospitals with less than 50 beds from the provisions of the Clinical Establishment Act (CEA), rationalise MBBS/PG seats and create more govt posts to end unemployment in the medical fraternity. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In a letter addressed to the health dept officials, IMA listed these and several other pressing issues faced by the medical community in the state, particularly the private practitioners and small and medium healthcare establishments. According to the IMA members, instances of violence against doctors were on the rise with inadequate legal protection. They requested an amendment to the law by increasing the imprisonment from three years to seven years, making it a non-bailable offence. The IMA also stated that the provisions of the CEA were adversely affecting small hospitals and clinics. They asked for an exemption for hospitals with fewer than 50 beds from CEA regulations, noting that states such as Haryana and Bihar provide such exemptions. According to the IMA, unemployment was prevailing in the medical fraternity due to an increase in medical colleges. They appealed to rationalise the intake of MBBS/PG seats and called for more govt job recruitments to fill the deficit. The association also urged the introduction of a single-window system for hospital registrations, renewals, and licences; exemption for medical establishments from the stay on trade licence enforcement; the formation of a health commission; and the need for legal and physical safety training for doctors and others.
Hans India
26-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Sridhar Babu extends full support to doctors
Karimnagar: The IT and Industries Minister, D Sridhar Babu, said that the State government will extend full support to medical profession in Telangana. The minister was speaking at the 11th anniversary of the Telangana Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (Tanacon-2025) on Sunday in Karimnagar. Sridhar Babu assured he would resolve the problems faced by hospitals and private nursing home owners, discuss with the Minister of Health amending the Hospitals Establishment Act, and establish a Medical Policy Corporation for effective decision-making. He said that the doctors are the frontline warriors of the State and are playing a major role in saving the lives of people. He said that under the Congress government, the expenditure for the Rajiv Arogya Sri scheme, established under the leadership of the late YS Rajasekhar Reddy, has been increased, and the Clinical Establishment Act was brought during his tenure. He said that 14 doctors have been elected to the Telangana Legislative Assembly and are working for the progression of doctors. He said that a meeting will be organised and action will be taken to solve the problems faced by private hospitals. He called upon doctors to take part in the Kaleshwaram Saraswati Pushkaram at Manthani. Dharmapuri MLA and Government Whip Adluri Laxman Kumar, Jagitial MLA Dr Sanjay Kumar, Manakondur MLA Dr Kavvam Pelli Satyanarayana, Korutla MLA Dr K Sanjay Kumar, Dr Palvai Harish Kumar, and Suda Chairman Komatireddy Narender Reddy were present on the day. On this occasion, TANACON organisation members felicitated the minister. TANACON organisation Chairman Dr Elagandula Srinivas and Telangana State President-elect Dr Arun Katari, IMA President E Naresh, and others were present in the programme.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
PGI's urology dept in the dock again, female patient accuses faculty member of ‘indecent conduct'
Chandigarh: A female patient undergoing treatment in the urology department at the PGI recently lodged a complaint accusing a faculty member of indecent behaviour. This marks the second such accusation against the same faculty within a year, raising serious questions about the PGI administration's previous handling of similar charges. The complaint, filed by the victim's husband with the PGI director, states that the doctor touched the patient inappropriately "under the guise of physical examination of private areas" and even solicited sexual favours during an OPD examination. The complainant further highlighted that the patient was examined alone, a direct violation of the Clinical Establishment Act, which mandates the presence of a female attendant during physical examinations by a male doctor. "A complaint has been received, and we have taken cognisance of it. The institute considers such matters very seriously and assures you that it will be addressed in strict accordance with the established norms and procedures," said an official spokesperson for PGI. Sources in the know revealed that the accused faculty member faced similar allegations last year from another patient during an OPD examination. A committee was formed by the PGI administration at that time, but no punitive action was taken against the faculty member. Insiders said since no strict measures were taken last year, it emboldened the faculty member to continue with such alleged indecent behaviour with vulnerable patients, culminating in the latest complaint. Refuting the new allegations, the accused faculty said, "This is wrong and has been done purposely to tarnish my image. I feel there is a connection between my transplant surgery and those who do not want our department to carry on with this surgery. Before my transplant surgery, there was never such a complaint." "I have already submitted my reply to the director and have rubbished these allegations. These are disturbing," he added. BOX: Last year's complaint Last year, a 38-year-old patient from Punjab, seeking treatment for a kidney stone problem, also accused the same faculty member of similar misconduct. In her complaint letter to the PGI director, she alleged that she was examined without the presence of a female attendant and that her sister-in-law was denied entry into the OPD room. At the time, then PGI director Prof Vivek Lal had said, "There is zero tolerance for such behaviour in our institute. " Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Hans India
21-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
IMA seeks CEA exemption for hosps across Telangana
Hyderabad: The Telangana unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has urged the government to exempt small hospitals and clinics with 50 beds from the Clinical Establishment Act (CEA) on the lines of Haryana and Bihar. It has written to Health secretary Dr Christina Chongtu with a charter of demands. President Dr D Dwarakanatha Reddy urged the government to exempt from the Act. He said the CEA provisions were adversely affecting small hospitals and clinics and requested the government to adopt the model of Haryana and Bihar, which have exempted hospitals below 50 beds from CEA regulations. Among other demands, the IMA has raised the issue of violence against doctors. Dr Reddy spoke of rise in attacks on doctors due to inadequate legal protection and urged the government to amend the law to increase imprisonment from 3 years to 7 years, making it a non-bailable offence; ensure direct FIR registration with preliminary expert review. He wanted single window clearance for registrations and renewals for hospital registrations, renewals and licences as multiple NOCs and repeated harassment by authorities (fire, GHMC, PCB). Stating that over 10 lakh quacks were practicing, putting patients at risk, the IMA requested the government to enforce Section 34 and Section 54 of NMC Act rigorously, form Anti-Quackery Committees at district levels under TSMC/IMA supervision; mandate production of MBBS/PG degrees for prescribing allopathy.
