Overview
- A Division Bench dismissed appeals by the Kerala Private Hospitals Association and the IMA, affirming the Clinical Establishments Act, 2018 and allied rules.
- Hospitals must examine and stabilise emergency patients immediately and arrange safe transfers to higher centres when needed with proper documentation and communication.
- Facilities must prominently display services, baseline and package rates, and grievance contacts in Malayalam and English at reception and online, and provide clear estimates and billing policies at admission.
- Providers must hand over all investigation reports at discharge, issue receipts for payments and complaints, resolve grievances within seven working days, and escalate unresolved cases to the District Registering Authority or DMO.
- Non-compliance will trigger regulatory action under the Act, and the state must publicise the court’s directions in print and visual media for one month to build public awareness.