Apollo Hospital in New Delhi has been ordered by the Delhi High Court to provide the poor patients with free treatment. Delhi High Court has imposed a fine of two lacs (Rs.200000) on Apollo Hospital and the Delhi government for not abiding by an earlier court order.
Health care is a fundamental right of every person — highlighting this Delhi High Court directed officials of Indraprastha Apollo Hospital to reserve at least 200 beds for poor people and provide them free treatment.
The PIL on which this verdict came was filed by an NGO Social Jurist in the mid-nineties. A Bench led by Chief Justice AP Shah directed the hospital not to charge any amount from poor patients for medicine and other lab tests and diagnostic tests.
Delhi Government will soon set up a mechanism to ensure that private hospitals built on subsidised government land provide free treatment to economically weaker sections of the society in the city.
Delhi Government (Health Ministry) will post officials in all these hospitals, to monitor the status and utilisation of these free beds.
Delhi Health minister Kiran Walia assured the compliance of court’s orders.
Source: Health Newstrack, India