Patients and health activists on February 26 voiced concern over malpractices in private hospitals and urged the Health Ministry to adopt the complete charter of patients' rights without bowing to pressure from private hospitals.

Over 500 patients and health activists from various states narrated incidents of rampant profiteering, unaccountability and exploitation of people by private medical institutions, at the Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. Last year the Health Ministry had released draft Charter of Patients' Rights prepared by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). It is being planned to be implemented for providing proper health care by hospitals.

Protesters demanded immediate end of malpractices, gross overcharging and violation of patients' rights by private hospitals. Representatives of the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, the All India Patients Rights Group, the Mahila Pragati Manch, the People for Better Treatment, the National Campaign for Right to Public Health and the Delhi Network of Positive People (DNP+) were present at the gathering.