New Delhi: In the backdrop of medical negligence by an upscale private hospital in the city, the Delhi government on Wednesday set up a nine-member expert committee to recommend it the norms to be followed by private hospitals in the city, including on capping the margin of profit from the sale of medicines, in medical investigation and for behavioural protocols.

Health minister Satyendar Jain, in response to a question on the Centre’s Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, said the city government is working on its own Delhi health act, which should come into being soon.

Making the announcement at a press conference, the minister said that several complaints have been brought to his notice recently regarding overcharging, refusal/delay in providing immediate medical care to victims of crime or road accidents, compelling patients to buy drugs from in-house pharmacy, rude behaviour of health care workers and delay in initiating medico-legal cases by private hospitals.

Asked if the step was prompted by the recent alleged incidents of overcharging and medical negligence by two upscale private hospitals, he said: “No. We have been pro-actively working on it for months.”

The committee will include Dr Kirti Bhushan, Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Dr K.K. Aggarwal, IMA president, Dr R.K. Gupta, DMA, Dr Arun Gupta, DMC president, among others. Mr Jain said the committee will be headed by director-general of health services Kirti Bhushan.

“They will not be mere recommendations. The Delhi government will use them to come up with protocols related to medical services,” Mr Jain said, adding, it has also been asked to develop a mechanism for eradicating cuts and commissions in medical practice.

Registered private hospitals and nursing homes will come under its purview.

“We have been saying that open loot and criminal negligence by any private hospital will not be tolerated. And, the panel will, among other recommendations, also suggest the capping limit on the margin of profit availed from the sale of medicine. So, it will tell what percentage of profit margin can they go for,” the health minister said.