Health dept orders probe into functioning of pvt nursing homes

State Health department has ordered a detailed probe to examine the functions of the private nursing homes which were allegedly involved in the trafficking of newborn infants in other states.

A probe would also be conducted to check if the various private nursing homes that have mushroomed up in various parts of the city and the districts have proper license from the health department.

Senior health department officials said that some nursing homes in the state have been operating with the clearance from various government departments. Action will be taken against them.

According to a senior health official, a crackdown has been ordered against various nursing homes across the state and strong action will be taken against those who will be found guilty in this regard.

The decision was taken after two nursing homes from the city and another from the district have been accused of trafficking infants.

After the interrogating the owners of the private nursing homes, the CID officers came to know that many of the infants who were given birth in these nursing homes were sold out to other states, even outside the country through a racket.

The owners of the nursing home and other members were involved in the racket used to earn huge amount of money out of selling each baby.

Health officials said that these nursing homes lacked the minimum infrastructure to run a health establishment.

According to an official, a study would be conducted in various private hospitals across the state to check if they were fulfilling the required parameters set by the health department.

It is necessary to have a clearance from the state health department as per the Clinical Establishment Act, fire clearance and the trade license from the local municipalities or corporations. 

Contrary to the norms, the three private nursing homes ~ South View Nursing Home in Behala, Sri Krishna Nursing Home in College Street and Sohan Nursing Home and Polyclinic at Baduria in North 24 Parganas lacked the minimum infrastructure of running a nursing home.