PGIMER urges citizens to donate generously to the Institute’s Poor Patients Welfare Fund to help more needy patients

PGIMER urges citizens to donate generously to the Institute’s Poor Patients Welfare Fund to help more needy patients

In 2020-21, a total of 3248 beneficiaries provided assistance with Rs. 1.40 Cr from Poor Patients Welfare Fund

“The Poor Patient Assistance Cell (PPAC) has been working to provide financial assistance and guidance to poor and needy patients for treatment at PGIMER, Chandigarh since last two decades. A look at the last three years data will reiterate PGIMER’s mandate as 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 1^st April till July 25^th, 1124 patients were benefitted with Rs. 45,76,145/-from Poor Patient Welfare Fund under PPAC.  We wish to thank our donors for donating to this noble cause of poor and destitute patients.

This was stated by Prof. A.K.Gupta, Dean (Research) cum Medical Superintendent & Head, Department of Hospital Administration, PGIMER while briefing the media about this noble initiative of PGIMER.

Urging citizens to donate generously, Prof. Gupta further stated, “Since the beneficiary pool of the patients requiring assistance has been increasing with each passing year here in PGIMER, therefore we request to more citizens to come forward and donate generously either through online mode or by cheque /demand draft to PGIMER’s Poor Patient Welfare Fund.”

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Vipin Koushal, Addl. Medical Superintendent elaborated on the initiative as he 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) detailing on the modalities, highlighted, “Poor Patient Assistance Cell, PGIMER, Chandigarh receives donations under Poor Patients Welfare Fund (PPWF). The donations are received from Philanthropists, Judicial orders, Corporate Social Responsibility obligations, NGO &Trusts and are eligible for deduction under sub clause iii (f) of section 80G (2) of the Income Tax Act. This fund thus generated is being used to help the patients who are unable to afford treatment.

Dr. Dhaliwal further detailed, “The online donation portal under Poor Patient Welfare Fund was started w.e.f 15^th 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 direct those penalized by the court to deposit the fines/penalties in the Poor patient fund.

POOR PATIENT WELFARE FUND DATA

Some of the Major Contributors

Some of the Regular Donors – 

Mrs. Harbhajan Kaur, Mr. Jaspal Singh Kandhari, Mrs. Chander Kanta Banerjee, Mr. Surinder Kumar Latawa, Dr. Sukhbir Grewal, Mrs. Meenakshi, Mr. Rattan Singh Ahuja, Mr. Rajiv Atma Ram, CANAM Consultants Pvt Ltd.