Judiciary asks penalised to donate their fines to Poor Patient Welfare Fund

Punjab and Haryana High court has been ordering culprits to deposit the penalty fees and fines in PGIMER’s Poor Patient Welfare Fund, instead of submitting fines in the court for the last many years. It’s due to the judiciary that made culprits pay off to their odd Karma through this noble gesture.

In the year 2019-20, 2858 beneficiaries were provided medical assistance with Rs. 1,49,08,944, in 2020-21, 3248 patients were helped with Rs. 1,39,41,066, and in 2021, since 1st April till July 25th, 1124 patients were benefitted with Rs. 45,76,145 from Poor Patient Welfare Fund under PPAC. Out of all these in 2019-2020 judiciary made culprits donate Rs. 41,00,000. In 2020-21 it is Rs. 45,30,000 and till 25 July it is Rs. 8,46,000.

Prof. Dr. A. K. Gupta, Medical Superintendent cum Dean Medical Research, PGIMER further stated, “Judiciary and other philanthropists like Mr. Satpal Sharma, 84 year old resident of sector15/A, Chandigarh, dedicated to the cause of poor and destitute patients, showcased exemplary generous gesture and lent a helping hand to the needy patients as he donated Rs.1,00,000 for the Poor Patient Welfare Fund of PGIMER today.”

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Vipin Koushal, Addl. Medical Superintendent elaborated on the initiative and said, “Assistance in the form of medicines, surgical consumables is provided to patients who are holder of Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) card issued by various State Governments or on the recommendation of treating doctor after assessment. The amount required for treatment is sanctioned after following the due process. The utilization of this fund is done by procurement of Medicines/surgical items through Government approved agencies.”

Dr. Navneet Dhaliwal, Officer In-charge, Poor Patient Assistance Cell (PPAC) further detailed, “The online donation portal under Poor Patient Welfare Fund was started w.e.f 15th September 2018. The account has been opened in coordination with SBI, Medical Institute, Sector-12 Chandigarh and large number of donations is being received online now. The Hon’ble Punjab and Haryana High Court also directed those penalized by the court to deposit the fines/penalties in the fund.”