Punjab & Haryana High Court Directs PGI Hospital To Put Sign Boards For Awareness Of 'Poor Patient Welfare Fund'

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh to put prominent sign boards in the hospital for awareness of Poor Patient Welfare Fund (PPWF).The Court noted that a number of patients, because of their ignorance and huge footfall at PGIMER, Chandigarh, are unable to avail the benefit of the PPWF.Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sudhir Singh directed "the Medical Superintendent, PGIMER, Chandigarh, to have prominent sign boards set up at conspicuous places in all the buildings and entire campus of PGIMER, Chandigarh, including the lifts, passages, roads, reception counter, the OPDs etc., so that the poor patients can avail the funds under PPWF (Poor Patient Welfare Fund).These observations were made while hearing a PIL filed by a law student who highlighted the condition of a a poor and destitute patient Ravindra Kumar - a labourer who needed urgent medical care as he was suffering from heart problems and had been implanted Automated Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (AICD) several years back. He lost his job many years back, due to his adverse health condition. The battery of AICD stands depleted and, the same was costing Rs. 3 Lakhs for replacement. The patient was unable to approach the authorities or even good Samaritans for help, the plea added.After Court's intervention in December, 2024 the battery of AICD was purchased from the PPWF, PGIMER, and implanted in the heart of patient.In pursuance of High Court's direction an affidavit was filed by the Medical Superintendent, PGIMER wherein it was stated that from April 1. 2024 to December 2024 out of Rs. 3,73,94,385, Rs.3,50,86,171 was utilised."It appears that a number of patients, because of their ignorance and huge footfall at PGIMER, Chandigarh, are unable to avail the benefit of the PPWF," the Court noted.Consequently, the Court directed to make necessary changes in the procedure for availing benefit of the PPWF, be filed by the Medical Superintendent, PGIMER, "within a period of four weeks."Ms. Sanchi Bindra, Advocate, for Mr. Amar Vivek Aggarwal, for the petitioner.Mr. Satya Pal Jain, Addl. Solicitor General of India, with Mr. Rajiv Sharma, Senior Panel Counsel, UOI, for respondents No.1 and 2.Mr. Maheshinder Singh Sidhu, Addl. Standing Counsel, and Mr. Karan Vir Singh, Junior Panel Counsel, UT Chandigarh, for respondents No.3 to 5.Title: Divya Sharma v. Union of India and othersClick here to read/download the order

Punjab & Haryana High Court Directs PGI Hospital To Put Sign Boards For Awareness Of 'Poor Patient Welfare Fund'

Aiman J. Chishti

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