Chandigarh :
Mohali MLA Kulwant Singh has called for a regulatory authority to prevent private hospitals from exploiting patients and ensure free treatment for economically weaker sections (EWS).
During Question Hour in the Punjab Assembly, Singh questioned whether hospitals allotted government land were complying with the condition of providing free treatment to eligible patients.
Health Minister Balbir Singh said the state government had entered into a public-private partnership agreement with Max Hospital, Mohali, on August 5, 2009, under which five per cent of the hospital’s total income was deposited into an escrow account.
The minister also stated that Max Hospital was not providing free treatment to EWS patients. Singh reiterated the need to enforce the existing conditions and establish a regulatory authority to ensure compliance.
