20. Interpretation

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires —

“accreditation” means a process that is adopted for the purpose of certification of the technical competence and quality of service and facilities of a Private Medical Institutions; and

“Private Medical Institution” means any Institution or establishment used or intended to be used for the reception of, and the providing of medical and nursing care and treatment for persons suffering from any sickness, injury or infirmity, a Hospital,

Nursing Home, Maternity Home, Medical

Laboratory, Blood Bank, Dental Surgery,

Dispensary and Surgery, Consultation Room, and any establishment providing health screening or health promotion service, but does not include a

Private Medical Institutions (Registration)

house of observation, Mental hospital, Hospital,

Nursing Home, dispensary, Medical Centre or any other premises maintained or controlled by the

State, any private dispensary or Pharmacy or drug stores exclusively used or intended to be used for dispensing and selling any drug, medical preparation or pharmaceutical product, or any

Institution or premises registered for any purpose under the provisions of Ayurveda Act, No. 31 of 1961 and the Homeopathy Act, No. 7 of 1970.