Gandhinagar: The Gujarat Clinical Establishment (Registration and Regulation) Amendment Bill – 2025, introduced by Health Minister Rushikesh Patel, was passed unanimously in the State Assembly today.

Regarding the main objectives and provisions of this amendment bill, Health Minister stated that the Gujarat Clinical Establishment (Registration and Regulation) Act – 2021 was implemented across the state with an aims to ensure accurate data collection of all healthcare institutions in the state, from small clinics to large multispecialty hospitals, laboratories, and imaging centers. It also includes details of medical and paramedical staff, available beds, ICUs, and emergency services.

He added that by managing and regulating information about the types of services provided by hospitals, available facilities, medical equipment, and specialists in hospitals or clinics, the digital registry would play a crucial role in public policy formulation and disaster management.

Under this Act, accredited establishments include hospitals, maternity homes, nursing homes, dispensaries, clinics, sanatoriums, and institutions providing diagnosis, treatment, or care for illnesses, injuries, physical defects, deformities, or pregnancy. Additionally, laboratories and institutions offering pathological, bacteriological, genetic, radiological, chemical, and biological examination services using medical equipment are also covered.

To align with these objectives, this amendment bill replaces the term “permanent” with “temporary” in Section 9(4) of the Act.

Currently, under The Gujarat Clinical Establishment Act – 2021, all healthcare institutions in the state must register by March 12, 2025.

With the passage of this amendment bill:

• The deadline for temporary registration of health institutions will be extended by six months to September 12, 2025.
• The time for granting or renewing temporary registrations by the State Health Department will be extended by one and a half years, until September 12, 2026.

While presenting other important provisions of the amendment bill, the Minister stated that Yoga and Naturopathy (Naturopathy System) have been excluded from the definition of recognized medical systems to align with the regulatory framework.

Additionally, the State Council has been empowered to appoint one of its members to hear appeals against the District Registration Authority’s orders.

Further provisions include:

– Appointment of one representative each from the dental, homeopathy, and Ayurveda medical systems to the State Council for Medical Institutions, ensuring fair representation.

– Fixing the term of office for nominated members of the State Council at three years, with eligibility for one re-nomination.

– Amendments regarding the Member Secretary and nominated members of the District Registration Authority, setting their tenure at three years with eligibility for one re-nomination.

It is noteworthy that The Gujarat Clinical Establishment Act – 2021 came into effect on September 13, 2022, with its rules being enforced from September 26, 2022. The amended standards for medical institutions under this Act took effect on March 13, 2024.

The law also includes penal provisions for violations:

• Cancellation of registration and a fine between ₹10,000 and ₹1,00,000 for any violation of the law or rules.
• Operating a clinic without registration attracts a fine between ₹25,000 and ₹1,00,000.
• Non-compliance with orders, refusal to provide information, or violating directions from an authorized person/authority may lead to a fine of up to ₹5,00,000.