Pune: Citizens Unite to Launch “Medical Services Transparency Forum”; Call for Transparency, Accountability, and Patient Rights in Healthcare
Pune, 21st April 2025: In a significant step toward reforming healthcare delivery in Maharashtra, concerned citizens, activists, healthcare experts, and representatives from various organizations have come together to form the Medical Services Transparency Forum. The initiative aims to address growing concerns around medical malpractices, patient harassment, and the lack of accountability in private and charitable hospitals.
Activists Vijay Kumbhar, Deepak Jadhav, Vinita Deshmukh, Sanjay Kone and Dr. Abhijit More today addressed the media at Patrakar Bhavan in this regard.
Earlier an online launch meeting of the forum was held on Friday, April 11, 2025, at 11:30 AM, and saw active participation from social workers, retired civil servants, health rights activists, medical professionals, and Indian Medical Association (IMA) officials.
The forum was born out of a collective concern over increasing instances of unethical practices in both government and private healthcare institutions. It emphasizes that the fight for transparency should not be limited to any single hospital but must encompass the entire healthcare system to make it truly patient-friendly.
Objectives of the Medical Services Transparency Forum:
Monitor and Address Malpractices: Vigilance over medical malpractices and patient harassment in both government and charitable hospitals, and proposing actionable solutions.
Promote Awareness of Government Schemes: Ensure that all patients benefit from government-provided healthcare schemes and facilities.
Enforce the Maharashtra Nursing Home Act: Advocate for strict and consistent implementation of the Act across the state.
Increase and Audit Health Care Funding: Demand greater allocation to healthcare in the state budget and ensure judicious expenditure.
Push for Transparency in Patient Rights and CSR Utilization: Promote fair use of patient rights funds and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions.
The forum also aims to curb unchecked support by the government, local bodies, and municipal corporations to private healthcare institutions, and is set to monitor the provision of services to ensure fairness and accountability.
Key Demands to the State Government:
Public Disclosure of Charitable Hospital Data: Daily online updates of free bed availability and poor patient funds in charitable hospitals. Strict action, including suspension, should be taken against negligent officials.
Regulation of Hospital Charges: Legally fix private hospital charges in line with Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) and insurance company rates. Collaborate with the Centre to reduce medicine prices.
Proper Naming of Charitable Hospitals: Enforce the mandatory inclusion of the word “Charitable” in hospital names, with legal action for non-compliance.
State Health Policy: Declare a comprehensive state health policy through a committee of secretaries, health commissioners, and medical experts.
CSR Fund Utilization: Ensure CSR funds are directed toward the treatment of poor patients in private hospitals.
Standard Treatment Protocols: Develop standardized treatment guidelines to prevent unnecessary tests and surgeries.
Increase Budget Allocation: Significantly enhance funding for the Department of Public Health and the Department of Medical Education.
Crack Down on Fake Doctors: Identify and take action against bogus medical practitioners.
Public Participation Invited:
The forum encourages citizens to report instances of medical malpractice, patient harassment, or inflated bills. Complaints can be sent via email to [email protected] with full case details and a contact number. Anonymous complaints will not be entertained.
