A general view of the Supreme Court.
| Photo Credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (March 4, 2025) urged the Centre, and the States to frame a policy to prevent the exploitation of patients and families admitted in private hospitals which compel them to buy medicines, implants, consumable and medical devices from their own pharmacies or establishments in collaboration with them.
A Bench headed by Justice Surya Kant said the governments should also be sensitised about the unreasonable charges and exploitation. However, the court also cautioned governments from taking a hardline or unreasonable stance against private hospitals. This may discourage private investors who fill the gaps in the state medical care.
The hearing was based on a writ petition filed by petitioner-in-person Siddharth Dalmia. Mr. Dalmia said in court that he had personally felt the brunt of the exploitation when a relative had undergone extensive treatment at a private hospital.
Published – March 04, 2025 12:09 pm IST
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