‘SP govt turned hosps into cattle sheds’ | Lucknow News
Lucknow: Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak accused the Samajwadi Party of turning hospitals into cattle sheds during its tenure.Replying to questions during the Question Hour in the Assembly, Pathak, who holds the health and medical education portfolios, said there is no state policy to fix or standardise consultation fees of private doctors or the rates of medical tests, nor to curb arbitrary hikes in such charges.
Pathak was responding to questions raised by SP members Samarpal Singh and Akhilesh (a lawmaker from Azamgarh). He alleged that the SP lacked genuine concern for the poor, suggesting that their interests were limited to gaining media attention on various issues.Samarpal Singh alleged that the state’s health system had deteriorated, highlighting that govt doctors were treating patients at home and charging them. Akhilesh, representing Mubarakpur in the Azamgarh district, echoed those concerns, alleging that patients were not receiving adequate services in hospitals and that private hospitals were imposing exorbitant fees. In a supplementary question, he asked whether the government would frame rules to ensure uniform charges in private hospitals.In response, Pathak noted that all medical tests, treatments, and medications are provided free of charge at government hospitals. He outlined the services available from primary health centres, community health centres, district hospitals, and higher-level government medical facilities.In his written reply to the main question, the deputy CM reiterated that there is no policy to standardise private doctors’ consultation fees and medical test rates or to prevent arbitrary increases.He emphasised that the state govt provides free treatment, including medical consultation and medicines, in various government hospitals. Replying to a supplementary question, he informed that 5.5 crore people have been registered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Uttar Pradesh, with 6,000 government and private hospitals empanelled. PTI
