Navi Mumbai: 50-year-old Covid-19 patient says he is being denied Mahatma Jyotiba Phule health scheme

NAVI MUMBAI: A 50-year-old Covid-19 patient who was recently admitted at the Dr DY Patil hospital in Nerul has alleged that the hospital administration has asked him to pay a bill of Rs 85,000 for his treatment, although he was recommended by the NMMC under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Health Scheme which is free for citizens.
"On July 20 I was admitted to Dr DY Patil hospital by the NMMC. Since I possess a saffron coloured ration card, I was told by civic officials that my treatment will be done free of cost under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana. However, on August 7, when I became healthy again, the hospital asked me to pay up a Rs 85,000 bill for the medical expenses. I was shocked, and told them that since I came there through NMMC, I am not supposed to pay anything. However, since then I have not yet got my discharge," said the 50-year-old Nerul based resident, who is currently unemployed.
He further added: "My family cannot afford to pay Rs 85,000 to the hospital. Had I known that the treatment would cost me so much, I would have asked NMMC to admit me to their own civic hospital."
The CEO of Dr DY Patil Hospital, Dr Rahul Peddawad, said on Friday: "I am at present not aware of this particular case of the Covid patient. However, the earlier assured agreement for 200 beds between NMMC and our hospital has not yet been finalized. If the patient is having certain issues, the concerned nodal officers must look into the matter."
The NMMC health official, Dr D Ghadge, said: ``This particular Covid patient had not completed the online form process for the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Health Scheme. His family members had also approached us. However, we are now going to ask them to complete this formality and submit the same to the hospital soon for the benefit of the patient.''
RTI activist Anarjit Chauhan who has also complained to the NMMC about this particular case, commented to TOI: ``It is ridiculous for the hospital to charge a poor Covid patient Rs 85,000 while also keeping him at the ward for many days. This is against the charter rights, under the Article 21 of our Constitution (right to life and personal liberty). NMMC must take stern action and also inquire as to why the patient was denied the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Health Scheme for nearly a week.''
He further added: ``This is a serious issue, as it is likely that other poor patients in a similar situation may also be suffering.''