More poor patients treated in pvt hospitals over past 2 years

More poor patients treated in pvt hospitals over past 2 years

New Delhi: EWS admissions rise from 1 per cent to over 6 per cent in two years, West Delhi leads other zones.

The average bed occupancy of Economically Weaker Section (EWS) patients in private hospitals has improved from a little over one per cent to over six per cent, in two years.

Delhi government’s analysis of compliance rates for treatment show that most hospitals have improved both in terms of hospital admissions and out-patient management of poor patients.

A senior Delhi government official said, “These percentages also include two private ayurvedic private hospitals which have zero admissions in the EWS category so far. If we just evaluate the allopathic hospitals, the EWS admission rates are as much as eight per cent.”

According to the Delhi High Court directives, which were reaffirmed by the Supreme Court last year, all private hospitals which were given land at concessional rates, have to reserve ten per cent of their bed strength, and 25 per cent of the out-patient load for poor patients. They were also asked to provide treatment free of cost, which included consultation costs and cost of drugs and consumables.

A zonal analysis of the city has shown that West, Northwest and East Delhi have the best compliance rates, with South and Central Delhi fairing the poorest.

“West Delhi has the best EWS admission rates. There have been times when many hospitals are admitting patients over the stipulated 10 per cent. Patients cannot be discharged till the treatment is completed, and if other patients happen to report to the hospital at this time, they cannot be turned away. It is heartening to see some hospitals following all these rules,” the official said.

OPD patient attendance is at an average of 18 per cent in the city, with West Delhi fairing the best with 22 per cent EWS patients, on an average, seeking treatment daily.

Members of the High Court appointed committee also pointed out that while the statistical analysis seems encouraging, a qualitative analysis is necessary to see the kind of ailments for which private hospitals are admitting poor patients.

“Though no analysis has been done yet, from our daily experience it is evident that private hospitals are hardly admitting any patients in super-specialised areas like neurology, cardiology and oncology, since treatment costs are higher. Most patients are admitted for minor surgical or medical problems.”

South Delhi, which has some of the Capital’s largest and best known private hospitals, that have been repeatedly under the scanner of the High Court appointed monitoring committee for EWS patients, still has barely two to three per cent admission rates at any given time.

Advocate Ashok Aggarwal, a member of the High Court committee, said, “Though South Delhi hospitals are some of the biggest, we have had problems from them. We have seen general awareness levels among the economically backward much better in the peripheral districts in comparison to South and Central Delhi, which could also be a reason for their better performance.”

Delhi government officials said the concentration of EWS category patients was higher in East and West Delhi, which could also be a contributing factor.

“The number of government hospitals is the lowest in South Delhi. This also has to be considered as we were able to motivate government hospital doctors to refer EWS patients to private hospitals, rather than to central government facilities,” the official added.

Government hospital referrals are still on the poorer side, and officials said the majority of EWS patients were walk-in patients.

Government officials attribute the improvement in performance to better surveillance and categorical court judgments.

“After the High Court made compliance mandatory for private hospitals, 10 of them had approached the Supreme Court, seeking exemption from compensating the cost of drugs and consumables. But with the apex court reaffirming the High Court directive, hospitals cannot find any ground for escaping this responsibility,” Aggarwal said.

The real time updates on the Delhi government’s EWS treatment website, which shows availability of beds in these hospitals since April 2011, has also helped, officials said.

Treatment For All

43 private hospitals in Delhi, with 800 EWS beds in total

Family income limit for EWS category has been increased from Rs 6,422 a month to Rs 7,020 a month

No proof of income is required. A declaration of income in a standard affidavit by the patient or relatives is the only necessary document

Hospitals cannot ask for any additional proof

Bed occupancy up from 1.5 per cent to 6 per cent

OPD attendance of EWS patients registers an average of 18 per cent

OPD attendance as high as 22 per cent in West Delhi