New Delhi. Delhi Government has given important information in the Supreme Court regarding providing free treatment to the patients of Economically Weaker Section (EWS). The government has filed an affidavit stating that there are at least 107 such hospitals in Delhi, which are mandated to provide free treatment to patients belonging to economically weaker sections. This affidavit has been filed amid the ongoing investigation regarding 51 hospitals, which are accused of not following the directions of the Supreme Court regarding free treatment. The Supreme Court had made it clear in its decision in 2018 that the institutions building hospitals by taking government land at concessional rates will have to provide free treatment to patients from economically weaker sections.
Notice sent to 28 hospitals
According to the Delhi government, notices have been issued to 28 of the 56 hospitals identified recently. Of these, 19 hospitals have filed their replies. At present, these replies are being scrutinized to find out whether the concerned hospitals are following the prescribed conditions of free treatment or not. The government also clarified in the affidavit that notices could not be issued to 17 institutions. This is because some of these hospitals are no longer operating, while some premises are being used for other activities instead of hospitals. These include activities like auditorium, salon, guest house and residential complex.
What is the rule of free treatment?
According to the 2018 decision of the Supreme Court, it is mandatory for private hospitals built by taking government land at concessional rates to provide free treatment to patients from economically weaker sections. Under this, hospitals will have to reserve 10 percent of the total beds in IPD for EWS patients. 25 percent of the total patients in OPD will have to be given free treatment.
Hearing held in Supreme Court in November
On November 4, Justice P.K. A bench of Justice Mishra and Justice Chandrashekhar took the affidavit of the Delhi government on record. The court directed the government to continue the process of identifying hospitals bound by the terms of free treatment. Also, the Supreme Court has asked the Delhi Government to submit the further action and progress report in the case by the next hearing i.e. 19 January 2027.
Affidavit filed after the order of 30 September
The Delhi government had filed this affidavit in response to the Supreme Court's order of September 30. In that order, the court had said that it has come to its notice that apart from the already listed 51 hospitals, there are some hospitals which have got land as government grant or at concessional rates. The court had clarified that these hospitals also fall in the same category to which the earlier order related to free treatment is applicable. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the prescribed conditions are followed in these institutions also.
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