Huge multi-disciplinary five-star hospitals mushrooming all over the country are given very many sops by the government like heavily subsidised land, hefty tax concessions, special water charges, very liberal FSI, many tax exemptions etc. What these hospitals have to do is to give an undertaking that these posh hospitals will render free treatment to the economically weaker sections of the society. This undertaking remains on paper. The hospitals do not fulfil it and, worse, the government does not enforce it. The apex court has rightly ordered that the crowded government hospitals must consider these private hospitals as an extension of the public hospital and feel free to refer the extra patients to them. The private hospitals, towards the fulfilment of their commitment, are ordered to treat them free. The court has rightly said that these hospitals do not really welcome the poor patients. Also the glittering façade, the severe looking security and the stunning lobbies of the hospitals intimidate poor Indians. These hospitals, as a part of their social obligation, must see that the poor “Sudamas” are not blinded by the shine of Dwarika palace.
Dr Mookhi Amir Ali
Mumbai, M.S.