No relief for Max hospital yet, matter further shifted for hearing on January 9

The commissioner has not given any relief to the hospital so far, hence the hospital’s services will remain disrupted until further orders.

“The commissioner heard the arguments made by the hospital and the government. After hearing both the version, the matter has been again listed for January 9. The final decision will be taken on the same day only,” Dr Kirti Bhushan, director general of health services (DGHS), Delhi government, who was present in the hearing.

The Delhi government on December 8 had cancelled the license of the hospital’s branch in Shalimar Bagh for wrongly declaring a baby dead.

A preliminary report submitted by a panel of doctors to the Delhi government had found the hospital guilty of not having followed the prescribed medical norms in dealing with a pair of newborn twins.

The three-member panel had submitted the report after scrutinising hospital records and meeting with the staff concerned.

After the infant’s death, investigation into the alleged medical negligence case was transferred from the northwest district police to the Crime Branch.

The authorities had then approached the Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal to look into the cancellation order.

“Following the due process of law, we have filed an appeal with the appropriate authority against cancellation of registration of Max Hospital Shalimar Bagh. Earlier, we had also requested Delhi Government to review their decision and restore the registration. This decision has caused significant inconvenience to thousands of patients and local residents and this is further compounded by unavailability of suitable alternatives for their medical needs in the vicinity,” the hospital had said in its statement.

The Finance Commissioner is a statutory post and the incumbent on this post exercises the powers of the Lieutenant Governor/ Chief Commissioner, delegated under various statues.

The commissioner has been delegated powers to act in a quasi-judicial capacity. The commissioner hears revision petitions/appeals against orders passed by competent authority under various acts including Delhi Nursing Home Registration Act, 1953.

Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh on a monthly basis treats around 14,000 patients in the OPD, attends to over 1,600 emergency patients and additional 3,000 are treated in inpatient wards.