**Summary:**
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare addressed concerns regarding the discomfort and embarrassment experienced by female patients due to the non-availability of trained female staff in diagnostic centers nationwide. As health is a state subject, the central government forwards complaints to the relevant States/Union Territories for necessary action. The Government of India enacted the Clinical Establishments Registration and Regulation Act, 2010, for the registration and regulation of clinical establishments, including diagnostic centers (excluding those of the Armed Forces). The National Council for Clinical Establishments approved a Charter of Patients' Rights and Responsibilities, ensuring the right to confidentiality, human dignity, and privacy during treatment. This charter includes the right to have a female present during a physical examination of a female patient by a male practitioner. The charter has been shared with all States/UTs for adoption and implementation.
Key Entities Referenced
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE: The Union Ministry responsible for health and family welfare policies in India.
LOK SABHA: The Lower House of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
SHRIRAKESH RATHOR: Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question No. 1150.
SMT.ANUPRIYAPATEL: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare who provided the answer.
Clinical Establishments Registration and Regulation Act, 2010: An Act of the Government of India to provide for registration and regulation of clinical establishments.
National Council for Clinical Establishments: Council constituted under the Clinical Establishments Act for regulation.
Charter of Patients Rights andResponsibilities: A charter approved by the National Council for Clinical Establishments, outlining the rights and responsibilities of patients.
States UTs: Refers to all the States and Union Territories of India.
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 1150
TO BE ANSWEREDON25TH JULY, 2025
NON-AVAILABILITYOFTRAINED WOMEN STAFFIN DIAGNOSTIC CENTRES
†1150.SHRIRAKESH RATHOR:
Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:
(a) whether the Government has proposed any scheme to address the complaints of discomfort
and embarrassment faced by the female patients during physical investigation due to non-
availabilityof trained women staffinvariousdiagnostic centres across the country;
(b) if so, the detailsthereof;
(c) whether the Government has made it essential for diagnostic centres to have adequate
memberof trainedwomen staff;
(d) if so, the detailsthereof; and
(e) if not,the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY
WELFARE
(SMT.ANUPRIYAPATEL)
(a) to(e): ‘Health’ beinga State subject, complaints of discomfort and embarrassment faced by
female patients during physical investigation due to non-availability of trained women staff in
various diagnostic centres, as and when received, are forwarded to the concerned States / UTs
for takingnecessary action.
Furthermore, the Government of India enacted the Clinical Establishments
(Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010 to provide for registration and regulation of
Government as well as private clinical establishments (except those of Armed Forces),
including diagnostic centres, belonging to recognized systems of medicine. The National
Council for Clinical Establishments, constituted under the Act, approved the Charter of
Patients’ Rights andResponsibilities which includesright toconfidentiality, humandignity and
privacy during treatment along with the right to have ensured presence of a female person,
during physical examination of a female patient by a male practitioner. The Charter had been
shared with allStates / UTsfor itsadoptionandimplementation.
*****