The city government issued notices to 34 defaulting private hospitals for not providing mandated free treatment to the poor, said health minister A K Walia. As of now, 43 private hospitals have been identified for providing free treatment to poor patients.

The notices are understood to have been sent over the past several weeks.

According to the directions of the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court, 10 per cent of indoor beds and 25 per cent of outdoor facilities are to be provided free to patients from the economically weaker sections.

Some of the hospitals not complying with the rules are Dharamshila Hospital and Research Centre, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, VIMHANS, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, GM Modi, Primus Super Speciality, Batra, Jeewan Anmol, Bensups, RB Seth Jessa Ram, Rockland, and Fortis, Vasant Kunj. Recently, three hospitals — Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research, Jivodaya and Guru Harkishan — were added to the list.

Eight hospitals have been found following the rules — Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, Max Super Speciality Hospital, IP Extn, Bimla Devi, Venu Eye Institute, Vinayak, Sir Ganga Ram, Bhagwati, and Bhagwan Mahavir.  

Increase referrals

Dr Walia informed that medical superintendents of government hospitals have been directed to increase the number of referrals of EWS patients to private hospitals.
For facilitating free treatment, availability of free beds is displayed on Delhi governm-
ent’s website www.health.delhigovt.nic.in/mis/frmlogin.aspx.