Starting a Hospital in India: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to open a hospital in India

This guide offers a comprehensive roadmap for setting up a private hospital in India. Remember, this is a complex undertaking requiring significant time, money, and effort.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Location

• Consider buying an existing facility to avoid construction challenges.
• For a new build, choose a well-connected area with easy patient access.
• Avoid locations with established, competing hospitals nearby.

Step 2: Defining Your Expertise

• Determine the specialties, treatments, and services your hospital will offer.
• This helps assess your capacity and prevent budget overruns.

Step 3: Obtaining Hospital Permits

• Permits are crucial but can be challenging to acquire.

Land and Construction

• Ensure your land is non-agricultural and has approval for hospital use.
• Obtain building permits, occupancy certificates, completion certificates, and a fire NOC from local authorities.
• If leasing a building, verify the owner has these approvals.

Water and Electricity

• Hospitals typically require 100 litres of water per bed daily.
• Plan for uninterrupted power supply considering 24/7 operations.
• Acquire permission from the municipal authority for water and electricity needs.

Sewage Disposal

• Get permission for a well-planned sewage drainage system.
• This might involve tunnels and pipelines for safe waste disposal.
• The system must avoid contaminating surface waters.

Biomedical Waste Disposal

• Develop an efficient plan for disposing of biomedical waste.
• The solution should not harm nearby residents.
• It may require space and equipment like incinerators, needing permission from local authorities.

Fire Safety and Health Certificate

• Prioritize fire safety measures to protect patients, staff, and visitors.
• Apply for a fire safety license or NOC from the local fire department.
• Obtain a healthcare certificate after installing beds and equipment from the state health department.

Step 4: Developing a Hospital Infrastructure Roadmap

• Create a detailed roadmap for every aspect of hospital setup.
• This ensures timely completion and covers crucial areas like:

Step 5: Registration and Licenses

• Hospitals must comply with various medical laws and ethical guidelines.

Key Registrations

• Clinical Establishment Act, 2017: Mandatory registration for all healthcare facilities.
• Companies Act, 2013 (if applicable): Classifies hospitals as private or public.
• Societies Registration Act, 2001 (if applicable): For hospitals owned by a society.
• Pharmacy Registration (if applicable): Required for a pharmacy within the hospital premises.

Other Important Licenses

• Blood Bank License (if applicable)
• Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act (if applicable)
• Licenses specific to offered services (Dentistry, Nursing, Psychiatry, etc.)
• Labor law registrations (Minimum Wages Act, ESI Act)
• Birth and Death Registration Act
• Urban Land Act (if applicable)
• Right to Information Act

Record Keeping Requirements

• Maintain detailed records including:Staff employment records.Patient medical records. Medical certificates issued.Medico-legal cases.Staff qualification records. Financial records.

Conclusion

Setting up a hospital is a significant undertaking. Consider seeking guidance from legal experts or a Legal Compliance Management Company to navigate the complexities and ensure smooth compliance.