The Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court directed the state government to publicise its free treatment policy for Black Fungus disease (Mucormycosis) in order to protect the general public from exploitation of hospitals with regards to bills.
The Amicus Curiae informed the division bench comprising Justices Ravindra Ghuge and BU Debadwar about the State’s decision to include Mucormycosis in the list of ailments in the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Scheme (MJPJAY), applicable in dedicated hospitals. Adding to the statement the court was informed that the state is deciding to cap the treatment charges for Mucormycosis to prevent non-governmental/private hospitals from raising bills.
The bench added that the list of hospitals empanelled under the scheme should also be given publicity to ensure patients don't land up in the wrong hospital. Moreover, the hospitals must display the information regarding the availability of beds in their portal.
Previously, Advocate RK Ingole had informed the court that the cost of treatment for Mucormycosis is heavily expensive and lengthy. After the submissions of the State and the Amicus Curiae the bench noted that the ailment is now covered under Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Scheme (MJPJAY) along with Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Scheme (PMJAY). The court further recorded that the medicines required for the treatment of black fungus disease would be provided free of cost to the patients.
Furthermore, the court asked authorities to monitor the daily use/consumption of medicines by the hospitals through MJPJAY web portal.
