Free, subsidized treatment for the poor in charitable hospitals

Mumbai's charitable hospitals are offering a crucial lifeline to the city's underprivileged, providing free and subsidized medical treatment. Families with an annual income of up to Rs. 1,80,000 can receive free treatment, while other economically disadvantaged patients can benefit from a 50% discount. This initiative aims to ensure that no one is denied critical medical care due to financial constraints.

Expanding Access to Medical Care

In a significant move to assist the needy, over 12,000 beds across 468 charitable hospitals in Maharashtra are now available for free or at discounted rates. This initiative, spearheaded by the medical aid cell in the office of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has already saved 258 lives in the past five months. Treatments have included critical surgeries, cancer care, and organ transplants, amounting to Rs. 17.69 crore in medical expenses covered for these patients.

Legal Framework and Implementation

The initiative gained momentum following a High Court petition by Gajanan Punalekar, which highlighted the failure of some charitable hospitals to allocate the mandated 10% of beds to poor patients. In response, a committee led by the Charity Commissioner was established, and a medical aid cell was set up in the Deputy Chief Minister's office. The operational directive for this initiative was issued on October 31, 2023, with the Special Medical Help Desk becoming functional from January.

Ensuring Compliance

Charitable hospitals are now required to report the availability of 10% of their beds for poor patients daily to the medical aid department. An online system is being developed to streamline this reporting process, ensuring transparency and accessibility. This system will allow poor and needy patients to be accommodated promptly on available beds.

Outreach and Awareness

To raise awareness about this scheme, departmental workshops are being conducted in Mumbai, Nagpur, Kolhapur, and other locations. These workshops, organized by the Department of Law and Justice, involve chief executive officers of charitable hospitals, doctors from government colleges, and other stakeholders. A recent workshop at the Yashwantrao Chavan Center in Mumbai saw participation from key officials like Principal Secretary of Law and Justice Department Suvarna Kevele and Secretary in Deputy Chief Minister's Office Shrikar Pardeshi.

Beneficiaries and Eligibility

• The scheme offers:

1. Free treatment for families with an annual income of Rs. 1,80,000.
2. 50% concessional treatment for other economically disadvantaged patients.
3. Access to treatment in 468 charitable hospitals, including renowned institutions like Kokilaben, Reliance, Sahyadri, and Dinanath Mangeshkar hospitals in Pune.

Required Documentation

1. Eligible patients need to provide:
2. Aadhaar Card or Identity Card
3. Ration Card or Income Proof
4. Doctor's Note (Prescription)
5. Contact Information

For assistance, individuals can contact:

1. Deputy Chief Minister's Office Special Medical Help Desk
2. Website: charityhelp.demo@maharashtra.gov.in
3. Office of the Charity Commissioner
4. Collector's Office
5. Government Medical Colleges
6. Participating Charitable Hospitals

Conclusion

This initiative by the Maharashtra government ensures that financial constraints do not hinder access to essential medical treatments for the underprivileged. Through continuous monitoring, awareness workshops, and a robust reporting system, Mumbai’s charitable hospitals are poised to make significant strides in providing healthcare to those who need it the most.