Ahmedabad: Taking cognizance of the chargeable services at a public healthcare centre, which were earlier free for the public, the Gujarat High Court has passed an interim order restricting a private company, Cadila Healthcare from charging fees to patients availing services at the district hospital.

The move came with regards to a PIL that was filed by the four residents of Dahod last year. The PIL objected the transfer of the District Hospital in the hands of the private healthcare company in order to create a self-financing medical college in the area. The PIL explained that the treatment that was earlier provided free of cost, was after the change of hands, being charged at the Dahod's General Civil Hospital. The residents urged the HC to put a stop in the practice.

Not only this, the petitioners also claimed that the indulgence of Cadila Healthcare Ltd into the management of the district hospital had violated the terms of an agreement with the government.

TOI reports the petition further pointed to the change in name of the hospital by the company a violation of the terms as well as Violation of the MCI norms for setting up of medical college which requires minimum 20 acres of land

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The PIL further mentioned that the hospital at Dahod that 300 beds were needed to be added to it for the establishment of a new medical college for which the assistance of the State Government was needed. The PIL claimed that hospital management declared that it would give free service to 300 patients only. This brought high disadvantage the patients coming to the hospital, the petition added highlighting that in 2016-17, the civil hospital gave medical service to average 495 outdoor patients in a day.

The Gujarat High Court went through the petition and passed and asked Cadila Healthcare Ltd not to charge patients coming for the treatment.

The HC passed an interim order and stated, "Meanwhile, Respondent No 4 (Cadila Healthcare Ltd) is restrained from charging any fees towards any treatment for any ailment from any patient who approaches for medical treatment," quotes the TOI. The next hearing is on 4th April 2019