The Kerala Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2018
The Kerala Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2018, is an important law aimed at improving public health by overseeing healthcare facilities within all recognized systems of medicine in the state. The Kerala Legislative Assembly passed this Act on February 1, 2018. It meets national standards while addressing Kerala's specific needs, like classifying hospitals by size and type of service.
The Act requires every clinical establishment, including hospitals, laboratories, dental centers, and AYUSH facilities, to register to operate legally. This rule applies to both public and private sectors and includes Modern Medicine, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Sidha, Unani, Yoga, and Naturopathy. However, establishments under the Armed Forces and those that only provide consultation services are not covered by this Act.
Operating without a valid registration is a serious offense, with penalties ranging from 50,000 to 5 lakh rupees. To make compliance easier, permanent registration portals were launched for Modern Medicine on April 26, 2023, and for AYUSH establishments on March 7, 2024. Additionally, Minimum Standards Rules were officially announced during the 2023-24 period to ensure a basic level of quality across all clinical services.
The Act's implementation is managed by a State Council and fourteen District Registering Authorities. The government has also set up a Grievance Redressal Portal for the public to report complaints about clinical institutions and an appeal portal for establishments to challenge administrative decisions. For more information and details about the Act, visit https://clinicalestablishments.kerala.gov.in.
