Displaying treatment rates; no action against private hospitals for time being

NEW DELHI: There will be no immediate action against private hospitals in Kerala for not displaying treatment rates and doctors' educational qualifications. The Supreme Court has directed the state government not to take any action against the hospitals until February 3, 2026, when the petition related to this matter will be reconsidered.

The court also clarified that private hospitals can proceed with the steps to obtain registration under the Kerala Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2018. The government is directed not to take any drastic measures during this period.

The Supreme Court was considering the petition filed by the Kerala Private Hospitals Association, challenging the provisions of the law, including the requirement to display treatment rates, and the High Court judgment upholding it. A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta also ordered that notices be sent to the opposing parties, including the state government.

Permanent registration is mandatory under Section 19 of the Act. Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, Advocate PS Zulfikar Ali and Advocate Lakshmisree Puthanpurakkal, appearing for the association, argued that time is needed to complete the procedures. It was also alleged that Section 39 of the Act, which requires the display of treatment rates and package rates, is being implemented unilaterally.

Privacy will be affected

The petitioners opposed the government's proposal to upload the educational qualifications, registration numbers and employee information of doctors on the portal. It will affect privacy. However, the petitioners said that they have no objection to the High Court's proposal that treatment should not be denied on the grounds of non-payment in advance or lack of documents.