Chandigarh, Oct 23: AAP MLA Kulwant Singh raised a pressing issue during the Punjab Legislative Assembly’s special session regarding private hospitals in Punjab failing to provide mandated free medical treatment to economically weaker patients. Singh pointed out that these medical facilities received land allotments at subsidized reserve rates starting in the year 2000, under strict conditions requiring them to reserve 10 percent for outpatient care and 5 percent for inpatient treatment for EWS and Yellow Card holders.
Highlighting a lack of oversight, Singh questioned Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh about the total number of impoverished patients who have actually received free treatment to date and demanded accountability for past non-compliance. The Mohali legislator further drew attention to distressing incidents where families were barred from claiming deceased relatives’ bodies due to unpaid medical bills, prompting him to press for a dedicated regulatory authority.
Responding on the floor of the House, Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh assured lawmakers that strict action will be taken based on the specific details provided by the MLA. The Health Minister noted that state and Civil Surgeon-level committees currently exist to address medical grievances, and assured that authorities will investigate the reported lapses.
