Intensifying its frontline battle against COVID-19, the government in Punjab on May 20 notified an ordinance to bring private clinical establishments into the ambit of its fight against the pandemic.

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The notification, under sub section (3) of section 1 of the Punjab Clinical Establishments (Registration & Regulation) Ordinance, 2020, brings all clinical establishments having capacity of more than 50 beds under the provisions of the ordinance. This is in line with the decision taken by the Council of Ministers at its meeting on April 10, spokesperson for the Chief Minister's Office said.

He said the ordinance would provide a mechanism for registration and regulation of clinical establishments in a professional manner, to ensure compliance of minimum standards of facilities and services, as well as transparency in the functioning of these establishments for fair and proper delivery of health services to the common man. To implement the provisions of the ordinance, a Punjab State Council for Clinical Establishments will be set up under the chairmanship of Administrative Secretary, Health and Family Welfare with Director of the Health and Family Welfare as Member Secretary.