Hospital Management committee

Hospital Management Committee

The Hospital Management Committee (HMC) is one of the important committees functioning to facilitate the day-to-day operations and improve the physical infrastructure of Government hospitals within the jurisdiction of a Grama Panchayat, particularly Family Health Centres (FHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs).

The HMC has broad responsibilities to ensure people’s participation in the health sector and to facilitate prompt decision-making regarding the immediate and essential requirements of hospitals.

1. Structure of the HMC

The HMC is constituted at the Panchayat level with broad participation from various stakeholders:

  • Chairperson: Grama Panchayat President.
  • Secretary & Convenor: Medical Officer of the Hospital.
  • Members:
    • Chairperson of the Health & Education Standing Committee – Vice Chairperson.
    • Chairperson of the Welfare Standing Committee – Member.
    • Grama Panchayat Member (Ward Member) representing the ward in which the hospital is situated – Member.
    • Two representatives nominated by the Local Self-Government Institution, one of whom shall be a woman – Members.
    • Panchayat Secretary – Member.
    • CDS Member Secretary – Member.
    • CDS Society President – Member.
    • Block Panchayat and District Panchayat Members representing the Grama Panchayat area – Members.
    • Representatives of various political parties/public representatives – Members.
    • Health Inspector (HI / PRO) – Member.
    • Medical Officer, Homoeopathic Dispensary – Member.
    • Medical Officer, Ayurveda Dispensary – Member.
    • Home Care Nurse – Member.
    • Two trained volunteers from the Home Care Team – Members.
    • MLSP Nurses from Janakeeya Arogya Kendrams – Members.

2. Key Responsibilities and Powers

  • Hospital Development and Maintenance: Ensure the maintenance and repair of hospital buildings and provide adequate facilities for patients, including seating arrangements, drinking water, and clean sanitation facilities.
  • Appointment of Temporary Staff: In the event of shortage of staff such as sweepers, security personnel, temporary nurses, and laboratory technicians, the HMC has the authority to appoint personnel temporarily using HMC funds to ensure that patient care is not disrupted.
  • Supervision of Laboratory and Pharmacy: Monitor the functioning of hospital laboratories and ensure the availability of medicines as required. The Committee also monitors the proper functioning of facilities such as Karunya Pharmacy.
  • Fund Management: Amounts received through OP ticket charges, laboratory charges, and other contributions are maintained as the HMC Fund. The Medical Officer and the Chairperson are authorised to utilise these funds for the immediate and essential requirements of the hospital.
  • Grievance Redressal: HMC meetings provide a forum for discussing and resolving public complaints relating to the functioning of the hospital or the conduct of its staff.