Punjab U-turn, says no plan to privatise rural health care

Vishav Bharti
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 21

A day after issuing a public notice for privatising various health institutions in the rural areas, the Punjab Government today took a U-turn, saying “there is no such move”.

A public notice had appeared in various newspapers in which the state Health Department had invited expression of interest for bids to run primary health centres, community health centres and urban community health centres in public-private partnership (PPP) mode.

The notice drew flak from health employees’ unions, social organisations and Left parties. Contrary to the notice, Health Minister Brahm Mohindra said the intent   was only to strengthen the public healthcare system and that only one or two institutions would be tried on a pilot basis.

Mohindra said due to various factors, state governments across the country were unable to attract an adequate number of specialists. “So, the public notice was issued to get ideas on how the government could provide all healthcare services even in remote areas.”

As per the Government of India guidelines, private players can be engaged for a particular service for government hospitals. The Health Department is attempting to formulate a policy after hearing all stakeholders, he said.

Earlier, the government doctors’ body PCMS Association announced that they would launch an agitation against the move in coordination with other employees of the Health Department.

“Punjab already leads the country in out-of-pocket cost of treatment, which is much higher than the national average. This will further worsen the situation,” said Dr Gagandeep Singh, state president of the PCMSA.

He said that if the government did not withdraw the decision, they would coordinate with other health employee union to intensify the stir. “We will also launch a statewide campaign to raise awareness among masses about the effects of privatisation of the health institutions.”

The Left, including the Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), and the Alliance of Doctors for Ethical Healthcare (ADEH) called it a retrograde step that negated the government’s promises to provide healthcare to all.

No extra burden on patients: Mohindra

"If at all it happens, by no means shall there be any extra financial burden on patients. The existing government hospital rates shall be charged from them. Only one or two institutions will be tried on a pilot basis." — Brahm Mohindra, Health Minister