The draft advisory from the Delhi government on proposed new norms for private hospitals has invited subdued reactions from a few private facilities operating in the city.
 

One hospital group called the proposals "harsh" while another said, it will provide its comments directly to the government. However, both said they will engage with the government on this matter. "The advisory from the Delhi government is quite harsh from the perspective of private healthcare services providers based in Delhi. We are in the process of studying the document in detail and will be engaging with the government in a constructive manner," a spokesperson of the Max Healthcare group said in a statement.

Among other proposals made in the draft advisory, include provisions, where private hospitals in the national capital "cannot hold hostage" bodies of patients, who have died during the treatment there, even if families are unable to pay the due bills before the last rites. The draft also proposes that the doctors at private hospitals and nursing homes should preferably only prescribe drugs from the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) and patients should be consulted before administering drugs in the non-NLEM category.

"The draft has been put in public domain, inviting suggestions and objections for a period of 30 days. After that, we will implement the policy with revisions," Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain told reporters on May 28. A senior official of another leading private hospital, on condition of anonymity, said, "We are yet to receive the draft advisory. But, comments would be provided to the government." Queries to the Fortis Hospital group did not elicit any response at the time of going to press.