The Delhi High Court was apprised by the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital on Wednesday that it will provide free medical treatment for patients who belong to the economically weaker section (EWS) to the extent of 10% in inpatient department (IPD) and 25% in out patient department (OPD) with effect from March 01.
It was during a hearing of the PIL which was moved by an NGO Social Jurist on lack of free treatment facilities for poor patients that the announcement was made.
A division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad were hearing a public interest litigation that was moved in this regard.
After the submission was made on behalf of the hospital, the bench disposed of the plea and directed for providing the free treatment to EWS patients as per its statement.
The matter from the side of the NGO was presented by Advocate Ashok Aggarwal.
In the year 2018,the plea was filed in the court against the action of Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital for not providing any free treatment to EWS patients to the extent of 10% in the IPD and 25% in OPD departments.
In the petition,it was mentioned that It the hospital was allotted land by Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on concessional rates on the condition of providing the medical treatment to poor patients free of cost.
On the same pretext, the plea sought for directions to the cancer institute for providing free treatment to poor patients as per the land allotment conditions.
The PIL also asked for directions to be given to the Delhi government for commencing the process for recovery of profits earned by the hospital by not providing free treatment.