Will Provide Free Treatment To EWS Patients In OPD, IPD From March 1: Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital To Delhi High Court

The Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital on Wednesday told Delhi High Court that it will provide free medical treatment to patients belonging to 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.

A division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad was hearing a public interest litigation moved by an NGO namely Social Jurist, against lack of free treatment facilities for poor patients in the hospital.

Considering the submission made on behalf of the hospital, the bench disposed of the plea while directing the hospital to provide free treatment to EWS patients as per its statement.

Advocate Ashok Agarwal represented the petitioner NGO in the matter.

The plea was filed in the year 2018 against the action of Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital of not providing free treatment to EWS patients to the extent of 10% in the IPD and 25% in OPD departments.

It was the petitioner’s case that 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.

The plea thus sought directions to the concerned hospital for providing free treatment to poor patients as per the land allotment conditions.

It also sought direction on the Delhi government for commencing the process for recovery of profits earned by the hospital by not providing free treatment. 

Title: SOCIAL JURIST, A CIVIL RIGHTS GROUP v. RAJIV GANDHI CANCER INSTITUTE AND RESEARCH CENTRE AND ORS.

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Del) 130