'MP Govt view of healthcare not as a right but as a market opportunity inimical to public health'

 

 

Senior Correspondent 

Newsbits.in 

BHOPAL: A press conference was held in Bhopal to draw the Madhya Pradesh government's attention to public health concerns regarding the privatization of healthcare services and medical education.

Based on the experience so far, the privatization of healthcare services and medical education was described as having been largely a failed step in multiple contexts, and as dangerous for the public.

The press conference was addressed by Amulya Nidhi and S. R. Azad on behalf of Action Against Privatisation of Medical Education and Health Services.

It was stated during the press conference that public-private partnerships (PPPs) are, in reality, an attempt to strip citizens of their constitutional rights and a serious effort by the government to establish healthcare as a profit-making business through market forces.

In PPPs, a two-tiered healthcare system is deliberately created: a highly limited and almost free level for the poor, and a comprehensive range of healthcare services for the wealthy.

This is not a partnership of any kind, but a systematic commercialization of public health. This approach not only clashes with the fundamental spirit of the constitution but also undermines the very concept of public health.

Instead of learning from past failures, our government is stubbornly determined to repeat these mistakes and is actively working to deprive the public of essential healthcare and services, the representatives said.

This opposition is based on serious concerns regarding transparency, eligibility, public interest, and the long-term impact on public healthcare services in the state.

Key Objections and Concerns 

1. Newly Formed Foundations Lack Required Experience

The two foundations Swami Vivekanand Shiksha Dham Foundation and the Vivekanand Bodhi Knowledge Foundation were registered only in July 2025 and yet were awarded MoUs in August 2025, despite tender conditions reportedly requiring a minimum of five years’ experience in running healthcare institutions.

2. Common Family and Institutional Linkages

Both foundations are linked to a single family/group already operating multiple medical colleges in Madhya Pradesh through RKDF Group–associated institutions. Granting multiple district hospitals and medical colleges to one group raises concerns of monopolisation and conflict of interest.

3. Past Regulatory and Legal Issues Ignored

The RKDF Medical College has faced serious regulatory action in the past, including Supreme Court penalties, fines, admission bans and prosecution of officials. Ignoring such history undermines regulatory integrity and public trust.

4. Privatisation of District Hospitals

District hospitals are critical public health assets, meant to serve poor and vulnerable populations. Leasing them under PPP arrangements risks:

· Reduction in free and affordable services

· Prioritization of care to paying patients, and neglecting institutional needs of medical colleges and care of poor and needy patients

· Dilution of government accountability

5. Public Health Impact and Equity Concerns

The proposed model allows 25% paid beds, which may lead to preferential treatment of fee-paying patients, adversely affecting access for economically weaker sections.

6. Lack of Public Consultation

There has been no meaningful consultation with local communities, elected representatives, health workers or civil society before taking decisions that fundamentally alter district-level public healthcare.

The Demands

It has been demanded that the Government of Madhya Pradesh should:

1. Immediately halt the foundation stone laying scheduled for 23 December 2025 at Panna, Dhar, Betul and Katni.

2. Suspend all MoUs and lease agreements related to district hospitals under the PPP model until an independent review is completed.

3. Make public all tender documents, eligibility assessments and evaluation reports.

4. Conduct an independent inquiry into compliance with tender norms and conflict-of-interest concerns.

5. Strengthen government-run medical colleges and district hospitals through direct public investment instead inimical to public healthof privatisation.

6. Ensure that public health institutions remain fully public, accessible, affordable and accountable.

"We believe that public health is a constitutional responsibility of the State and must not be compromised in favour of private or commercial interests. We urge the Government to reconsider these decisions in the interest of equity, transparency and the right to health of the people of Madhya Pradesh," the representatives said at the press conference.