(a) whether the Government has fixed any criteria to identify the poor and needy patients for free treatment in AIIMS;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has advertised the said criteria in the national and provincial newspapers regarding essential production of a BPL card or income certificate from the competent authority ;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. PANABAKA LAKSHMI)
(a) & (b) The All India Institute of Medical Sciences issued circular dated 6.2.2006 regarding the procedure for grant of exemption of charges. According to the circular exemption of charges is allowed for any diagnostic/special procedures or General Ward Hospitalization to patients living below poverty line, having BPL ration card issued by appropriate authorities. Where the patient is not having the BPL ration card, but is recommended by the area Sub Divisional Magistrate or Member of Parliament or the Medical Social Service Officer (MSSO) the charges are exempted. In other situations where the faculty is convinced that the patient is poor and cannot afford to pay for the investigation/procedure, he or she may exempt directly or after verification by MSSO as considered appropriate by the treating faculty.
(c) to (e) No such advertisement has been made in the national and provincial newspapers, as the poor patients are aware of the procedure for exemption of charges to poor patients which has been there for quite sometime.