Devendra Fadnavis asks private hospitals to accept old currency notes

Mumbai: Amid reports that common people are made to run from pillar to post by some private hospitals for currency notes, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday appealed to them to cooperate with the patients seeking urgent medical attention and accept the old higher value notes.

There are complaints that patients needing urgent medical attention are facing problems as private hospitals are refusing to accept the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, a statement issued by the CMO said.

Since November 14, when the toll free numbers 104 and 108 became operational, a total of 320 patients have registered their complaints by calling.

The CM has taken serious note of the complaints and instructed private hospitals that if patients don't have new currency notes, hospitals should be considerate and accept fees as per the convenience of patients, it said.

According to the statement, besides complaining about their problems they encounter in hospitals on toll free numbers, patients within municipal limits can complain to the civic authorities concerned while those outside municipal limits can register their plaints with district civil surgeon.

Similarly, those from rural areas can do so by approaching the district health officer.

"If the grievances are still not addressed, then complaints can be made with Deputy Director of the concerned (administrative) divisions. Finally, Joint Director (Health) Dr B D Pawar can be contacted (for resolution of complaints)," the statement said.

If cheque of a patient is bounced, the chief minister's Relief Fund will provide Rs 10,000 per patient, it added.