Mumbai hospital asks activist to pay for list of machines

Mehul Kataria had been eagerly waiting for a reply to his right to information (RTI) application from Bhagwati Hospital regarding the number and quality of machines as well as medicines used in its trauma centre.  

His wait did end on the February 10 but he did not get the answer he had waited for. In fact, the reply asked him not only to go to the hospital and inspect the list himself, but also to pay charges for it. 

“I was surprised to read that most of the questions were replied by just saying that the list is elaborate and that I may inspect the same with prior appointment by paying requisite charges. If I have to go all the way to check the list myself and even shell out money for it, what is RTI for,” asked Kataria.

When contacted, medical superintendent of the hospital Mahendra Wadiwala said he was in a hurry to go out of town and gave deputy superintendent Vijaya Bhatt’s number. Bhatt merely said, “Our office is closed on Tuesdays, so I will be able to give you the details on Wednesday.” But when asked if the list was so elaborate, she said, “No”. 

Kataria is not willing to let his quest end here and is all set to forward his application to the first appellate officer.