AP moves to regulate private AYUSH hospitals

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

For the first time, Andhra Pradesh is preparing a comprehensive regulatory framework for private AYUSH healthcare establishments, making registration mandatory for facilities ranging from single-doctor clinics to hospitals with more than 200 beds.

The government has released draft Andhra Pradesh AYUSH Private Medical Care Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Rules-2026, aimed at ensuring minimum standards, improving patient safety and cracking down on unqualified practitioners and unauthorised medical centres.

Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav reviewed the draft and directed officials to invite suggestions and objections from doctors, experts, hospital managements and the public before finalising the regulations. The move follows an amendment to the Andhra Pradesh Private Medical Care Establishments Act, 2002, bringing Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Unani, Siddha and Yoga-Naturopathy establishments within its regulatory ambit.

Under the proposed rules, establishments will be classified into seven categories based on services and bed strength. Applications must be submitted through the Clinical Establishment online portal. A provisional registration valid for 90 days will initially be issued, followed by an inspection within 10 days. Inspection teams will examine infrastructure, medical equipment, qualifications of doctors and staff, pharmacies, laboratories, sanitation, biomedical waste management, patient records and emergency facilities. Establishments meeting the prescribed standards will receive registration valid for five years.

Facilities found deficient will initially get two months to rectify shortcomings. Failure to comply could attract penalties and eventually cancellation of registration. Authorities will also be empowered to suspend or cancel registrations where unqualified persons provide treatment or proven complaints involve serious violations. An appeal mechanism has also been proposed. Hospitals and clinics will have to prominently display treatment charges, available services, doctors’ names and registration numbers in Telugu and English, improving transparency for patients. Registration fees are proposed to range from Rs 3,000 for single-doctor clinics to Rs 50,000 for hospitals exceeding 200 beds.

Officials prepared the draft after a two-month exercise studying regulations in Kerala, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan, besides national AYUSH guidelines. The government has invited feedback on the draft for two weeks, following which the regulations will be finalised.