Chandigarh 2nd January : Hundreds of patients belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families or otherwise declared ‘Poor Free’ by competent authorities of PGI, who were getting free treatment at PGI for the past many years had a horrible new year 2015. With the midnight stroke of 2014, they had been declared ‘General’ / ‘Paying’.
The Director, PGI had taken an unfortunate decision in March, 2014 that all Poor Free patients will be reviewed on 1st January and 1st July each year, which means that they will present their documents afresh to seek poor free treatment at PGI. Though, the circular issued by Director, PGI in March,
was not acted upon in July, 2014 but the Computerized System at PGI had deleted all ‘Poor Free’ recommendations of these patients.
Though, the Medical Technologists are helpless and had nothing to do with such an unfortunate decision but poor patients approaching for Laboratory and X-ray investigations are arguing with them and holding them responsible for the harassment and financial hardships.
The HODs have no information of any such circular / decision, therefore, these HODs have refused to make fresh poor free recommendations. The poor patients and their relatives have been running from pillar to post with their BPL Ration Cards but there is no end to their miseries.
Some of them have deposited fees / charges by arranging from fellow patients and relatives.
The PGI MTA condemns the unjustified and arbitrary decision of PGI Administration which has been causing harassment to patients and staff.