Authority to fix rates of the corporate hospitals demanded

CPI expresses satisfaction at withdrawal of the controversial circular by the DMC

Ludhiana: 4 January 2016: (Punjab Screen Bureau):

The Communist Party of India District Ludhiana has expressed satisfaction at the withdrawal of notice by the DMC management in which they had made it mandatory that if a person has to be admitted in the hospital and needs ICU care has to deposit Rs. 20000/- in advance, for Ventilator Rs. 30000/- and Rs. 50000/- for both, even if it is an emergency and if this happens the money will be recovered from the Junior doctor on duty. Addressing a press conference Com D P Maur Asstt Secretary of the district unit of the CPI said that this circular had anguished the citizens. The Communist party of India (CPI) had held a rally outside DMC & Hospital on 25th July 2015 demanding its withdrawal. The party also submitted a memorandum to the hospital authorities on this but they refused to withdraw it. Then we lodged complaint to the ministry of health, Medical Council of India (MCI), the Punjab Medical Council and the state government that the DMC &hospital is a charitable hospital and is getting all benefits due to the charitable institutions. They have no right to issue such a circular. More over this circular is total violation of human rights as health is the most important right to life. This is also violation of the Supreme Court directives that no hospital can refuse care to a patient in case of emergency because of monetary reasons. Such an act is also violation of code of medical ethics of Medical Council of India. But now we have received communication from the PMC that the DMC has withdrawal the circular. Com Ramesh Rattan- Secretary city unit of the party said that this is a victory of the citizens. The struggle for health to all will continue he said. He further demanded that the government should setup a regulatory authority which should look into the rates of the corporate hospitals   and streamline them as these hospitals are charging exorbitantly. He said that the party had held a rally outside civil hospital few weeks back demanding its up gradation and we shall take up this till it is achieved. Com Gurnam Sidhu – Asstt. Secretary of the city party said that government must be strict towards the pharmaceutical companies who give free bees to the doctors as this adds to the cost of the medicine. The kick backs/cuts and commissions by the doctors and the private hospitals should be immediately stopped. He appreciated the role of the Punjab Medical Council in this regard and criticized the Health Minister Sh.Anil Joshi for unnecessary intervention into the affairs of the council.  He also demanded that healthcare to all must me ensured by the government on the pattern of ESIC. Com Naval Chhibber, Advocate, former President Bar Association Ludhiana said that theyhave formed a group to initiate necessary legal action in such cases which affect public interest. Any move to dilute the ESI scheme will be opposed he said. Others present at the press conference include Comrades Kewal Singh Banwait, Dr Gulzar Pandher, Ramadhar Singh, Anod Kumar, Vijay Kumar, Lalit Kumar, Ram Pratap and Ramreet. 

D P Maur

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