Pune: Youth Congress Demands Probe into Hospitals Exploiting Poor Patients

Pune, 25th March 2024: Concerns have been raised over the exploitation of poor patients seeking treatment in Pune, especially those hailing from villages. Rohan Suravase Patil, General Secretary of Maharashtra Pradesh Youth Congress, has demanded a thorough investigation into hospitals allegedly swindling both government funds and patients’ money for their own gain. Patil has communicated this demand to the Collector, State Secretary, Health Minister, and Chief Minister via email.

Highlighting the issue, Rohan Suravase Patil stated, “Several private and charitable hospitals in the city are enlisted under schemes such as the Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. However, many patients remain unaware of their eligibility for these schemes. Hospitals often demand an advance payment of Rs. 50,000 to initiate treatment.”

Patil further explained, “Patients are required to submit documents for availing these health benefits under the schemes. While initially treated under the scheme, patients are later informed that they do not qualify for the benefits. Instead, they are coerced into paying hefty sums under the guise of negotiating the bill, only to find themselves paying double the amount. This exploitation constitutes a grave injustice, with patients facing mistreatment and denial of further treatment if they dare to file a complaint with the charity commissioner.”

“The alarming extent of this exploitation cannot be ignored. Hospital administrations, management, and doctors have amassed properties worth crores through these dishonest practices. It is imperative for the government to take decisive action by conducting a thorough investigation at the highest level,” Patil emphasized. He further warned of potential agitation by the Youth Congress and urged for intervention by agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to hold the culprits accountable.