The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, to set up prominent signboards at conspicuous places within its campus to raise awareness about the Poor Patient Welfare Fund (PPWF).
This direction was issued in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed highlighting that many patients were unable to avail the benefits of the PPWF due to lack of awareness.
The court observed that despite the significant footfall at PGIMER, Chandigarh, many patients were ignorant about the existence and benefits of the PPWF.
The court’s direction aims to address this issue by ensuring that patients are informed about the availability of financial assistance under the PPWF.
The PGIMER has been instructed to display prominent signboards in all buildings, lifts, passages, roads, reception counters, and OPDs, indicating the procedure for availing benefits under the PPWF.
The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sudhir Singh has also directed the Medical Superintendent of PGIMER, Chandigarh, to file a compliance report within four weeks, detailing the necessary changes made to the procedure for availing benefits under the PPWF.
The petition has been disposed of, with the direction that if the compliance report is not filed within the specified period, it will be taken up for further consideration.