Ruby Hall Clinic, a prominent healthcare institution in Pune, has reached out to the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, seeking her intervention in the face of alleged harassment by agents concerning the usage of the Indigent Patient Fund (IPF) Scheme. This action follows a news report suggesting that several hospitals in the city have ceased treating patients under the IPF scheme.
On a recent Wednesday evening, members of the BJP’s youth wing created chaos at Ruby Hall Clinic, demanding action against the trustee for purportedly failing to treat patients under the IPF scheme. Subsequently, the hospital authorities had to temporarily close the entry and exit gates due to this incident. The IPF scheme is designed to offer free or low-cost treatment to economically disadvantaged individuals.
In their letter to the Union Minister, Ruby Hall Clinic emphasized its charitable efforts, stating, “Ruby Hall Clinic is a premier healthcare Institute of Pune which annually provides approximately Rs. 25 crores worth of charity for indigent and weaker section patients under the IPF scheme. However, we would like to bring to your notice that we are constantly being harassed and intimidated by agents and touts who mislead patients and their relatives, falsely promising to help them under the IPF scheme by falsifying papers and documents, claiming that they are economically disadvantaged patients. These patients are not economically deprived and do not meet the criteria for IPF patients.”
The letter further described the situation, explaining, “When hospital personnel protest against this falsification, they are then threatened and intimidated by these individuals. Consequently, many undeserving patients exploit this scheme, while the genuinely poor and needy are excluded. This undermines the greater interest of society and leads to unnecessary and false protests and demands being made to hospital authorities. This has become a widespread problem that is affecting all genuine charitable hospitals like ours. We request you to investigate this matter and seek your intervention for an amicable resolution that will benefit both poor patients and charitable hospitals.”
The IPF scheme, aimed at supporting economically disadvantaged patients, has become the subject of concern due to alleged misrepresentations and harassment by agents. Ruby Hall Clinic’s appeal to the Union Minister underscores the need for resolving these issues and ensuring that the scheme serves its intended purpose effectively.
