Hyderabad: The clinical and medical establishment act has been accepted by the Telangana Government whereby the state government will have control over the pricing of medical procedures and diagnostic costs. The increasing numbers of stent procedures and C-sections in the state have forced the government to look at new ways and means of controlling the private hospitals.

Dr Laxma Reddy explained, “The act will help us get proper information about the disease pattern and also regulate the pricing. The aim is that facilities and costs are standardized so that the benefit is available to all.” At present, under the Aarogyasri scheme of the government, maximum cases of stents are being carried out in private hospitals and they are taking away a huge amount from the government budget.

Dr Reddy says, “The procedures that are being carried out in hospitals will have to be notified to the government. There will be a digital set-up whereby the data is shared.” The provisions demand that the government has the state medical council, state dental council, state nursing council and state pharmacy council elected, once the act is approved.

It also demands that all the existing clinics in the state are registered with the government. If not, they can be fined up to Rs 50,000 or more. The act demands that all records of the patients have to be maintained and they are subject to scrutiny by the council.