Pune: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Maharashtra State has requested the Government of Maharashtra to declare the decision on postponement of the due date of hospitals' registration under Bombay Nursing Home Act (BNHA) by six months, with effect from March 31, 2020, due to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Explaining the demand, Dr Avinash Bhondwe, President of IMA Maharashtra State, said that all the private hospitals and nursing homes in Maharashtra need to get registered under BNHA.

"The registration process is usually done in March every year by the Public Health Department of Government of Maharashtra, by the Local Self Governing bodies. The hospital not registered under BNHA with the Public Health Authorities of the Local Self government of its area is considered as illegal," said Bhondwe.

He added that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government work is centred towards the control of the pandemic, and the same is true for all the hospitals.

"We request you to kindly postpone the renewal date for six months from March 31 2020. At present all the hospitals are doing their duties and working to control of COVID-19 pandemic. But there is awe in the minds of the doctors, that they are doing it without registration under the said Act," said Bhondwe.

He added that this point was discussed in the video conferencing meeting with the Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary of Public Health Government of Maharashtra, on May 14, to which it was conveyed that a due decision will be taken at the earliest.