Private hospitals directed by Delhi government to accept cheques and drafts

In a move to ease cash-strapped condition, Delhi government, on Friday, has issued strict instructions to all private hospitals to accept cheques, demand drafts and online payments from patients.The government issued a circular following complaints that some hospitals were not accepting cheques and demand drafts following demonetisation, leading to inconvenience to patients.

Government has authorised only state-run hospitals to accept Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes from old circulation. "It is informed that a few cases of non-acceptance of cheques/demand drafts and online payment transfer from customers by certain business houses including hospitals have been reported subsequent to demonetisation of old currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 from circulation.

"In this regard I am directed to covey that all private hospitals and nursing homes in Delhi are hereby instructed to comply with the directions," said a circular issued by Dr AK Saini, Medical Superintendent, Nursing Home Cell. Government has also instructed the Chief District Medicalofficers (CDMOs) to visit the private hospitals and nursinghomes in their jurisdiction to inspect that these instructionare being complied with by private hospitals and nursing homesand submit an action taken report.