None should be deprived of medical treatment

None must be deprived of treatment' Rosy Sequeira, TNN Sep 17, 2011, 04.47am IST Tags: private-public enterprise| medical treatment MUMBAI: No citizen should be deprived of medical treatment for want of finance, the Bombay high court said on Friday while hearing a petition filed by Seven Hills Hospital in Marol, a private-public enterprise. A division bench of Justice P B Majmudar and Justice R M Savant were hearing a petition filed by the hospital challenging notices issued to it by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation asking it to vacate the nearly seven acres land allotted by it to run the multi-specialty hospital. "They want us to give free medicines to all poor patients. Certain injections cost Rs 16,000. Am I supposed to give it free?" asked the hospital's counsel Dinyar Madon. He added that even civic and government hospitals do not give their patients free medicines. "Then a poor man has to die without treatment," lamented Justice Majmudar, "Is it not the right of a citizen to be given free treatment just as free legal aid? According to us, free medical aid and treatment is more important than free legal aid. Only if a man survives, will he go to court," said Justice Majmudar. Madan said the hospital will go by the memorandum of understanding with the BMC and not give in to their additional demands. "It is not economically viable," he reasoned. The BMC advocate Ashutosh Kumbhakoni said, "We (BMC) are expecting that up to 20% of the hospital should be on par with corporation hospitals." Justice Majmudar riposted, "We are more concerned with life. Every human being is equal," said Justice Majmudar. The judges also questioned whether private hospitals take patients in emergencies such as accidents. "Inform hospitals that they must admit people in emergencies. Nobody should die for want of treatment. We expect BMC to be a champion of this cause," said Justice Majmudar. The judges directed BMC to file an additional affidavit clearing its stand on the issue and also to submit a list of free medicines/ services it provides. The matter is adjourned to October 4, 2011. Ads by Google