NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Monday, ordered all the private hospitals of Delhi, which built on subsidised government lands, to provide free treatment to certain percentage of patients belonging to poor financial backgrounds.
The Supreme Court said that all private hospitals in Delhi, which got land at cheaper rates, shall give free treatment to 25 percent OPD and 10 percent of IPD for poor patients.
The apex court said that it will monitor the functions of private hospitals in this regard and any violation of this order will be treated as a contempt of the court.
A bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said any resistance by the hospitals would lead to cancellation of the lease and sought periodical report on compliance of its order from the Delhi government.The move is a big relief for the patients belonging to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS).
The bench said it will monitor functioning of private hospitals to ensure that the poor patients are treated free of cost.
Providing treatment to the poor was one of the clauses in the lease deed due to which land was given to hospitals at a very cheap price.
