PM Modi to chat with patients to get a pulse of govt hospitals

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have a direct chat with patients in government hospitals in Delhi on June 7 to get a feedback on various schemes that have been implemented by the Central government in the capital. This is the first time that the PM will directly interact with the patients to know whether they have been rightly charged. The conversation will take place via video conferencing and the PM will be talking about three important schemes — cardiac stent prices, knee replacement implants and the generic medicine shops.

The health department of Delhi has been asked to shortlist five to six patients in each category. "The list will be sent to the PM and he will randomly pick anyone. We have to also cull out the data of the number of beneficiaries and speak to the attendants. All the patients and attendants will need to be sensitised about the video conferencing," said Dr Kirti Bhushan, director general of health services (DGHS), Delhi government.

According to the officials, the PM will talk to beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana Kendra (generic medicine shops) and those who have received coronary stents and knee implants at subsidised rates.

"The PM might also ask about the expense they paid during the treatment or whether the generic medicines were available in the shops. The idea is to find out about their experiences," added Dr Bhushan. Last year, Modi had announced steps to rein in healthcare costs.