Delhi govt mulls ordinance to rein private hospitals

New Delhi: Amid reports of private hospitals turning away dengue patients, Delhi government is mulling to bring an ordinance to rein them.

According to sources, the ordinance will give powers to the government to impose heavy penalty on private hospitals and to even cancel their registration in case they refuse treatment to an emergency patient.

Last week, seven-year-old Avinash Rout had died of dengue after being denied admission by five private hospitals which drove his parents to suicide, triggering widespread outrage.

This week, another boy had died of dengue with his parents claiming refusal of admission to their son by hospitals.

"There have been some incidents in which private hospitals refused to admit dengue patients. Government wants to bring a law to make them accountable. For this, it will have to call a Assembly session.

"But in view of sudden spurt in dengue cases, government is contemplating to bring an ordinance to immediately tackle errant hospitals," sources said.

They said that with the ordinance which will be valid for six months, government can "rein in" private hospitals and "will have options" to impose a heavy penalty on them and even cancel their registration.

Sources said the present law does not give much power to the government to take strict action against private hospitals who refuse to give medical treatment to an emergency patient.

"If Delhi Cabinet gives nod to ordinance, it will then be sent to Lt Governor for his approval," they said.

Earlier this week, Aman Sharma, a child from Srinivaspuri area of South Delhi had died of dengue and his parents alleged that three private hospitals refused to admit him citing unavailability of beds. PTI BUN