01 April 2013
While the State Health Minister says Charity Commissioner has the powers to implement the scheme, the latter claims charitable hospitals are dilly-dallying in adopting it
More than two years after announcing that all 408 charitable hospitals across the state will be made to post details of beds reserved under the Indigent Patient Fund (IPF) scheme online, the State government and Charity Commissioner (CC) seems to be passing the buck. While the State Health Minister claims it is CC’s responsibility to implement the provisions of the Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950, the CC says the hospitals are not willing to part with the information
Two months ago, MLA Madhuri Misal had approached software firm Connvertex Technologies to develop anapplicationtocollateandpostthedata online for the Pune hospitals
However, All Hospitals Association (AHA), Pune, was averse to the idea saying it was not mandatory for hospitals to share their details online. The software would help monitor day-to-day occupancy of beds reserved for poor patients under the IPF scheme at private charitable hospitals and funds utilisation.
“The Act was implemented by the High Court and all the powers rest with the charity commissioner. If the CC thinks hospitals should share their details online, the CC should implement the scheme as we have done with the Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandayee Arogya Yojana. The health ministry is not responsible for the implementation of the IPF scheme,” said State Health Minister Suresh Shetty. Although hospitals in Pune district are yet to take a final decision, they have demanded certain changes in the software.
“Wehavetalkedtothehospitals,but they have reservations about sharing the details online and want some changes in the software. The matter will be discussed in the next meeting ,” said Navanath Jagtap, assistant charity commissioner (Hospitals), Pune district.
On the other hand, theAHA feels there is no point in posting the details online as people are already using Right to Information (RTI) for the same.
“According to the scheme, hospitals are not supposed to share details. The charity commissioner cannot force us. The CC needs to see that the scheme is implemented . Many hospitals don’t mind sharing details, but it should not be made a mandate,” said Manjusha Kulkarni, secretary, AHA.
“We will raise the issue in the assembly and would appreciate if a Government Resolution is passed,” said Misal.