HC to Adani Group: List benefits for poor patients

Division bench asked the group to place on record its willingness to invest in expansion of G K hospital and welfare of Bhuj residents

Gujarat High Court, on Tuesday, asked the Adani Group to file an affidavit listing additional benefits they would give to patients if the management of G K hospital in Bhuj was handed over to Gujarat Adani Institute of Medical Science (GAIMS). The next hearing of the case is scheduled for July 29.
A division bench of Chief Justice S J Mukhopadhaya and Justice J B Pardiwala observed that the civil hospital is meant to cater to the needs of poor and not the rich. Hence, any private party managing the hospital should look after the interest of the public instead of profit.
The court also asked the group to place on record its willingness to invest in the expansion of the hospital and welfare of residents.

ADANI PROMISES FREE BEDS

On behalf of Adani Group, advocate Dushyant Dave stated they propose to increase capacity of beds to 750 and give 300 beds for free. Dave also said that GAIMS was ready to release 10 pc management quota seats in medical college to Kutchis.

DEFINE FREE TREATMENT: COURT

Dissatisfied with the proposal, the court asked Adani group to mention additional benefits in an affidavit. The justice said, “Free treatment means no charge for beds, no charge for medicines, tests, doctor’s fee, etc.”
He added, “Health does not understand rich or poor. Hence, services should be free for high court employees, government employees, central government employees, ex-army men etc.”
The court issued the orders while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Vice-President of Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee Adam B Chaki, raising questions regarding handing over of the hospital to Adani Group.
The plea mentioned that prior to 2001, Kutch residents got free medical services from the hospital. Following an earthquake, it received a donation of Rs 100 crore from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund to build a well-equipped hospital. The government then passed a resolution on May 27, 2009 stating that the management of G K General hospital and connected medical college will be leased out on an agreement of 99 years to GAIMS to run the hospital and medical college.