Context : SC’s Directive to States
- Supreme Court urges States to frame guidelines preventing private hospitals from overcharging patients.
- Patients shouldn’t be forced to buy medicines, implants, or devices at inflated prices from hospital-run pharmacies.
- States must ensure fair pricing without discouraging private investment in healthcare.
Relevance : GS 2(Health ,Judiciary)
Court’s Observations
- Private hospitals play a crucial role in filling gaps in public healthcare.
- States should balance regulation with the need for private sector participation.
- The issue falls under State List (health, sanitation, hospitals), requiring State policy decisions.
Background of the Case
- Petition by Siddharth Dalmia highlighted personal experience of exploitation in a private hospital.
- SC refrained from ruling on specific allegations but emphasized sensitizing State governments.
- Court disposed of the petition, focusing on the constitutional framework rather than imposing mandatory conditions.
Significance
- Highlights growing concerns over healthcare affordability and regulation.
- Reinforces the need for State-level policies to ensure fair healthcare practices.
- Balances consumer protection with private sector viability in healthcare.
