Pune: The Indian Medical Association (IMA), Pune, has objected to a letter recently sent by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to all city hospitals. The letter alleges that city-based hospitals are holding patients to ransom. Patients’ relatives are asked to buy costly medicines and patients are not given timely treatment.
Members of the IMA, Pune Chapter interacted with the media on Friday and expressed their resentment against the letter. The PMC’s letter to hospitals states: “Patients are forced to pay a deposit at the time of admission in private hospitals, failing which hospitals refuse treatment.” The letter also appeals to hospitals to treat the patient urgently and not refuse treatment if a deposit is not paid.
Dr Prakash Marathe, President of IMA Pune, said there is no subsidy given by the government for many major expenses, which hospitals have to incur. “So the cost of establishing and running a hospital has to be recovered from patients. It is our experience that many patients do not pay bills once they are treated,” said Dr Marathe. He added that the emergency perceived by patient’s relatives may not be so while bills perceived as exorbitant may also not be so.
“The circular sent by the PMC has no legal support. The letter mentions words such as ‘exploitation of patients for deposits’. We object the use of such words, which defame the medical profession,” said Dr Marathe. The IMA appealed to the PMC not to exploit medical professionals, who respect and abide by the law, by encouraging activities, which increase distrust and cause a rift between the doctor and the patient.
When contacted, PMC officials were not available for comment.
Office-bearers of the IMA said the MNS has raised banners at various places threatening doctors and hospitals. On November 6, the IMA sent a letter complaining about the same to the commissioner of police, the civic chief and the sky signs department of the PMC. However, no action has been taken so far.
