St Stephen’s, Moolchand deny treatment to six patients hailing from economically weaker sections
Flouting the Supreme Court guidelines, two Delhi-based private hospitals have refused to provide free treatment to the patients belonging to economically weaker sections (EWS). The department of health has received complaints from five patients who visited St Stephen’s Hospital and a patient from Moolchand who were denied free treatment by the hospitals.
The Supreme Court on July 10 this year ordered all Delhi-based private hospitals — that were given land at subsidised rates — to provide free treatment to 25 per cent Out Patient Department (OPD) and 10 per cent Inpatient Department (IPD) patients belonging to the EWS. The apex court also said that if hospitals flout the order, it could lead to cancellation of the lease.
“We have received complaints from the patients where the hospitals have denied them free treatment to the patients. This is a contempt of court. Notices have been sent separately to both of the hospitals,” said a senior official from the department of health, Delhi government.
A letter has been sent to Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash on Saturday by advocate Ashok Aggarwal, who is also a member of the Delhi High Court Inspection Committee, requesting him to take action against St Stephen’s Hospital.
“These hospitals cannot refuse free treatment to any of the EWS patients. The action to this may even lead to cancellation of their lease. The health department can even take over their management. We have sent notices warning them about the consequences,” Aggarwal said.
Four hospitals — Moolchand, St Stephen’s, Rockland and the Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research — had approached the High Court in 2012 against orders issued by the Delhi government and the L&DO, which amended the provisions of the lease granted to the hospitals.
While Moolchand did not respond to the calls and messages by DNA, the hospital administration of St Stephen’s claimed they are not aware of the complaints. “We haven’t received any notice on any such matter,” said Dr Sudhir Joseph, director, St Stephen’s Hospital.
The SC order inserted a provision in the lease, making it mandatory for hospitals to give free treatment to EWS patients in both, the OPD and IPD. The order for free treatment to the poor had been issued by the government following directions from the High Court and the Supreme Court.
BREAKING THE LAW
- The apex court had in July 10, 2018 ordered all private hospitals in the city that were provided subsidised land, to provide free treatment to 25% Out Patient Department and 10% Inpatient Department
- The Supreme Court had also ruled that if the hospitals flout the order, it could lead to cancellation of their lease agreement
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Hospital")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}