lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal has approved the Cabinet’s decision to provide free treatment to medico-legal victims of road accidents, acid attack and burn injuries. The l-G has also approved the proposal of Health Department for outsourcing of diagnostic (non-radiological) services to provide free laboratory services at Mohalla Clinics, Polyclinics and mobile health clinics.
While conducting the meeting with Health Department officials, Baijal has concurred with the amendments to the Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK) scheme to provide financial assistance for specified high-end diagnostic (radiological) tests/ surgeries.
Considering the importance to provide free treatment to economically weaker sections, the lG also advised to keep a suitable income ceiling so that the resources of the Government are effectively use for the patients who cannot afford treatments.
Baijal also stressed that the Government institutions also need to be strengthened for a robust healthcare system as the healthcare system cannot be left entirely in the hands of private sector.
During the meeting, he emphasised that complete transparency and relevant guidelines should be followed strictly while empanelling private hospitals.
“A mechanism must be evolved for ensuring that unnecessary tests are not prescribed in collusion with private medical centres,” said the l-G, adding, “Further, the quality of tests and the private institutions empanelled for these tests also should be ensured through appropriate penalties in case of malpractices and poor quality.”
To prevent any malpractices, the lG advised administrative department to develop a system of online Aadhaar-based biometric tracking of patients to ensure proper follow-up of treatment.