The Delhi High Court has requested the Delhi authorities to streamline the method for individuals from the economically weaker sections (EWS) to assist them avail medical amenities underneath varied well being welfare schemes.

In an order dated September 20, a Bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Narula constituted a seven-member committee headed by Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to iron out the issues within the present system.

The Bench additionally mentioned the method for availing free therapy in addition to surgical procedures for implants/units should be streamlined and ordered {that a} single-window mechanism with designated nodal officers be arrange at every hospital in Delhi.

The order got here after advocate T. Singhdev, appointed amicus curiae within the case, identified that the method of securing monetary help underneath the Delhi Arogya Kosh scheme is “extremely troublesome for patients”. He mentioned they need to run from pillar to submit to acquire varied certificates from authorities even earlier than they might submit their software to the Patient Welfare Cell of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

The DGHS has formulated Delhi Arogya Kosh and Delhi Arogya Nidhi schemes to offer monetary help to for therapy at authorities hospitals. These initiatives are complemented by ancillary programmes geared toward offering medical companies. Similarly, the Central authorities has launched schemes just like the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi and the Health Minister’s Discretionary Grant.

“Nonetheless, we have been apprised of the constraints faced by individuals from EWS when attempting to avail benefits of the scheme,” the Bench noticed.

“These constraints manifest at various stages: during treatment, submission of applications for financial assistance, procurement of quotations concerning implants, procedure for disbursing amounts, and finally, while undergoing medical procedures including surgeries,” it added.

The courtroom mentioned the process for securing monetary help underneath totally different schemes should be made much less cumbersome in order that the general public might know it with little help, and directions should be displayed prominently and clearly in language they can perceive. “The hospital must become patient-friendly and accessible to the society at large,” it mentioned.

Besides the Chief Secretary, the seven-member committee will comprise members nominated by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Principal Secretary of the Delhi authorities, Commissioner of Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the National Informatics Centre, the order learn.