Licence from chief medical and health officer must for fitness centres

BHOPAL: Wellness centres, gyms and spas will now have to register with the office of the chief medical and health officer (CMHO) under the Nursing Home Act. There is no estimate of how many such centres are operating in the capital.
As per new directives, fitness centres will have to obtain license from CMHO. Health officials will conduct surprise inspections and test supplements being supplied by these centres.
"Under the new rules, all fitness centres have to register. Initially, we have not received any response and shortly, we will carry out an orientation exercise, failing to which, centre would be penalised or shut down," said district CMHO Dr Pankaj Shukla.
As per the directives, owners of gyms, spas and other fitness centres will have to submit a list of documents including the health status of their employees to get a license. Physiotherapy centres will also be covered under the new rules.
It would ensure standardized quality of service. Supplements being prescribed or sold by these centres would also be monitored, he added.
According to experts, there are chances of bacterial infections and spread of diseases like Hepatitis in a gym. The centres would also have to provide clean drinking water and toilet facility.
Last year, health officials had registered an FIR against a wellness centre in Arera Colony after complaint by a consumer. The clinic was allegedly running without licence and registration.