400 hospitals face closure: Ahmedabad Hospitals & Nursing Homes Association – ET HealthWorld

The closure will be caused by the AMC rule that stipulates the need for BU permission for renewal of Form C. The renewal rule was revised after the directives of the judiciary to ensure that all hospitals follow stringent fire and building safety regulations.

Dr Viren Shah, the secretary of AHNA, said that such closures will be unprecedented in the country. “Since 1949, all medical establishments have been providing the necessary documents under the Bombay Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1949,” Dr Shah said. “All hospitals pay the necessary professional fees, taxes, etc. In a majority of the cases, the buildings — when made — were part of a different civic body and did not have the same rules as now.”

Dr Shah said that till October 2021, no BU permission was required for Form C.

AHNA president Dr Bharat Gadhvi said that if one looks at the current BU rules, about 50% of buildings might not have permission under the existing laws. “Under the aegis of AHNA, we have ensured that more than 99% of hospitals have fire safety norms in place.” He added: “But when it comes to hospitals in commercial spaces, why are only doctors targeted?”