Pvt hospitals to treat poor patients even without ID

The Maharashtra Charity Commissioner has passed a circular stating that private hospitals in the state will have to admit underprivileged patients even if they don't hold any document proof.

The circular, passed on December 16, was sent to all the hospitals registered with the Charity Commissioner's office. It stated that social workers associated with the hospitals will have to conduct a background check of the underprivileged patients before admission.

The State Charity Commissioner Shivkumar Dige, said, "It becomes difficult for beggars, homeless, nomads, and orphans to give identification proof while getting admitted to a hospital. This circular will help the needy patients to get easy admission even if they don't have an identification proof like ration card, Below Poverty Line (BPL) card during the time of admission in a hospital. There have been many instances where the needy are denied admission due to lack of documents as proof."

Private hospitals run by a trust have to reserve 10 per cent of the beds for underprivileged patients.

QUOTA FOR THE POOR

• There are 74 private hospitals run by trusts. These charity trust hospitals get concessions in electricity supply and water supply, income tax. 
   
• Private hospitals have to reserve 10 % of their beds for poor patients who provide a certificate from the tehsildar office or a ration card or are BPL.