Pune Corporators Allege Private Hospitals Are Denying Treatment to Poor Patients

Pune, 18th June 2026: Allegations that private hospitals are denying admission to patients covered under government welfare schemes and demanding advance deposits dominated discussions during the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) General Body meeting on Wednesday.

Corporators urged the civic administration to take strict action against errant hospitals and establish a dedicated health committee to monitor their functioning.

Raising the issue in the House, corporator Dheeraj Ghate alleged that hospitals empanelled under government healthcare schemes often refuse admission to eligible patients, citing a shortage of beds or demanding security deposits. He said poor patients frequently face harassment despite hospitals receiving various concessions from the civic body.

“Hospitals are provided land at concessional rates and receive benefits such as rebates on water charges and property taxes. Despite these concessions, many hospitals fail to fulfil their social obligations and refuse treatment to needy patients,” Ghate said.

He also proposed that the PMC establish a dedicated helpline or call centre where citizens can lodge complaints if a hospital refuses admission or demands an advance deposit from patients entitled to treatment under government schemes.

Several other corporators echoed similar concerns and highlighted instances in which patients allegedly faced delays in admission and treatment. The discussion saw participation from corporators Suhas Tingre, Deputy Mayor Parshuram Wadekar, Ajay Khedekar, Pooja Kadam, Amol Balwadkar, House Leader Ganesh Bidkar, Vishal Malke, Pallavi Javale, Nivedita Ekbote, Punit Joshi and Priya Gadade.

Responding to the concerns, PMC Acting Health Chief Vaishali Jadhav said the administration would convene a meeting with representatives of the concerned hospitals and present a detailed report before the General Body.

Assistant Health Officer Dr Suryakant Devkar warned that hospitals refusing treatment to patients covered under the Urban Poor Scheme would face action.

“If any empanelled hospital denies treatment to an eligible patient under the scheme, it will be removed from the panel,” he said.

PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram said private hospitals are governed by a prescribed code of conduct and guidelines issued by the administration. He assured members that complaints would be reviewed within the next 10 days and explanations sought from hospitals found violating the norms.

“The PMC does not have the authority to cancel hospital licences. However, we can impose financial penalties for violations. I will personally conduct hearings and submit a report on the matter,” Ram told the House.

The issue has once again brought attention to concerns over access to affordable healthcare and the accountability of private hospitals that receive civic concessions while serving patients under public welfare schemes.