In a heated exchange in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak launched a sharp attack on the opposition Samajwadi Party (SP), holding them responsible for the poor state of health infrastructure in the past. The confrontation occurred during the Question Hour, where Pathak, who also handles the health and medical education portfolios, addressed concerns raised by SP legislators.
Allegations and Counter-Allegations in the House
Pathak directly accused the previous SP government of a severe dereliction of duty towards public health. He alleged that during the Samajwadi Party's tenure, hospitals were effectively turned into "cattle sheds," indicating a complete collapse of medical facilities and care. He further questioned the SP's genuine concern for the poor, suggesting their actions were more about securing media headlines than substantive work.
The Deputy CM was responding to questions from SP members Samarpal Singh and Akhilesh, the legislator from Mubarakpur in Azamgarh district. The opposition lawmakers had raised serious issues about the deteriorating health system in the state. Their primary allegations included government doctors treating patients privately at home for fees and private hospitals charging exorbitant rates for tests and treatments, while patients in government facilities suffered from inadequate services.
Government's Stance on Private Sector Regulation
In a significant revelation, Pathak clarified the state government's position on regulating the private healthcare sector. He stated unequivocally that there is currently no state policy to fix, standardize, or curb arbitrary hikes in consultation fees of private doctors or rates for medical tests. This point was emphasized in both his verbal replies and his written response to the main question posed by the SP members.
Responding to a supplementary question on whether the government would frame rules to ensure uniform charges in private hospitals, Pathak did not commit to any such regulatory move. Instead, he pivoted to highlight the services provided by the state's public health apparatus.
Focus on Free Treatment and Ayushman Bharat
The Deputy CM detailed the extensive free healthcare services available across the government's network. He asserted that all medical tests, treatments, consultations, and medications are provided completely free of charge at government hospitals, from Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) up to district hospitals and advanced medical institutes.
In a key data point, Pathak informed the House about the reach of the central government's flagship health insurance scheme. He revealed that a massive 5.5 crore (55 million) people in Uttar Pradesh have been registered under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). Furthermore, approximately 6,000 government and private hospitals across the state are empanelled under this scheme to provide cashless treatment to beneficiaries.
The exchange underscores the ongoing political battle over healthcare in India's most populous state, with the ruling BJP defending its record by promoting free services and insurance coverage, while the opposition highlights gaps in service delivery and calls for stronger regulation of private healthcare costs.
