Chandigarh: Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains has alleged that a private hospital in Mohali denied timely emergency care to patients despite having vacant beds, accusing the management of prioritising money over human lives.
Minister Records Video Inside Hospital
Bains said he visited Max Hospital in Mohali and found empty beds in the emergency ward, while patients waited outside in ambulances. He recorded a video of the ward and later spoke to attendants, who claimed there were delays before admission.
Allegations of Money-First Approach
“It is shocking that for some private hospitals, money is more important than a human life. While they charge lakhs in the name of treatment, patients are left helpless outside,” Bains said. He added that though he respects doctors, it was painful to see hospital managers acting in this manner.
Case of Elderly Patient from Himachal
The Minister highlighted the case of a woman from Hamirpur, who, he said, had to wait 20–25 minutes in an ambulance before being denied admission and forced to seek care at another hospital. He claimed that two ambulances with patients were made to wait despite empty emergency facilities.
Complaint to Health Minister Planned
Bains said he would raise the issue with the State Health Minister and called for hospital bed inspections to verify availability. He alleged that patients were deliberately kept waiting under the excuse of “file making” and only admitted after formalities and payments were completed.
Hospital Issues Clarification
In response, Max Hospital denied the allegations, stating that no ICU beds were available when the patient arrived. The hospital said the patient, a 60-year-old with a history of multiple admissions, required ICU care and was admitted once a Coronary Care Unit (CCU) bed became free.
Ongoing Public Debate on Private Healthcare
The incident has triggered a fresh debate on the accountability of private hospitals in Punjab, with growing demands for stricter monitoring of emergency services. Authorities are expected to review the case after the Minister formally escalates the complaint.
