In response to a recent incident at Pune’s Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, where a pregnant woman was allegedly denied emergency treatment due to an upfront deposit demand, citizens have initiated a survey to document experiences with hospital billing practices. Dr. Abhay Shukla, a public health activist, stated that the survey aims to capture voices and experiences with private and charity trust-run hospitals nationwide. Preliminary results indicate that 98% of respondents advocate for state government regulation of rates in private hospitals.
The incident involved the hospital reportedly demanding a ₹10 lakh deposit from the pregnant woman before providing treatment, leading to widespread criticism and protests. A state-appointed panel found the hospital guilty of violating emergency care norms by demanding advance payments in such critical situations.
In light of these events, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has pledged strict action against those found guilty and announced plans to establish Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for hospitals to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
These developments have intensified public discourse on the need for transparent and regulated hospital billing practices, highlighting the necessity for standardized procedures to ensure equitable healthcare access.
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