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Private Clinics Accuse Health Ministry of New Bill ‘Blackout’
The head of the private clinics association has fiercely contested the Ministry of Health’s new proposed legislation, the Private Health Institution Bill, claiming a complete absence of prior consultation.
Dr. Dawood Oaris, president of the association of private clinics, criticised the ministry’s move to draft a new bill, supported by the European Union, arguing that it should instead introduce amendments to the existing 1989 law.
Dr. Oaris raised serious concerns about the lack of engagement, asking:
“Before talking about a new Private Health Institution Bill, has the public been consulted, as well as the various stakeholders, before drafting the bill?”
He questioned when any planned consultations would actually take place—before the bill is presented to Parliament or only after the document is finalised.
He revealed that he had “received a draft which I rejected,” describing it as “bad and having numerous shortcomings.”
Dr. Oaris added that he met with the European Union consultant and refuted all their arguments.
Drawing on 50 years of experience in the health system, he complained that his proposals were not being considered.
Minister Insists on Modernisation and Future Consultations
The Ministry of Health is currently developing the new bill with technical support from consultants provided by the European Union.
Health Minister Anil Bachoo stated in Parliament on Tuesday, 7 October, that the bill aims to modernise the legislation by introducing new provisions focused on transparency and accountability.
Minister Bachoo had asserted that the way forward would depend on “in-depth consultations with all stakeholders,” including patient associations, health professionals, private operators, and insurance companies.
However, this has done little to soothe Dr. Oaris’s concerns over the timing and meaningfulness of these discussions.
Concerns Over Scope and Existing Powers
Dr. Oaris has insisted that the Minister could simply use Article 11(a) of the current 1989 Private Health Institution Act (PHIA) to add new regulations if there were perceived failings, arguing that this had been done in the past, such as with increasing license fees.
He also pointed out that the current PHIA already allows ministry officials to inspect private clinics “anytime” and take action in case of shortcomings.
Furthermore, he warned that the new bill’s scope, which extends beyond just clinics to include laboratories, pharmacies, and private doctors, risks creating problems.
He argued that controlling fees for institutions that do not offer the same facilities will be difficult, stating that each institution should have its own law.
Dr. Oaris stressed that private institutions should be seen as “partners” and “complementary” to the public system, not “enemies.”
Public Sector Focus
The Health Minister, Anil Bachoo, has separately confirmed to Parliament that the government’s strategy is to continually improve public hospitals—through advanced technology, new specialised units, modern infrastructure, and staff training—so that citizens “no longer need to resort to private clinics.”
The Minister acknowledged that the previous decade had weakened the public sector through understaffing and a lack of incentives, pushing patients towards the private sector.
The government’s goal is to rebuild confidence so patients choose private care by choice, not necessity.
The Ministry is also expanding agreements with foreign hospitals to offer specialised, free treatments and is encouraging reputable private hospitals to establish themselves locally to increase competition and drive down costs.
Source: Defi Media