- Free treatment for the poor and helpless
Bhopal: In a major relief to the underprivileged, Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Center (BMHRC) has implemented a new “Zero Bill” policy to ensure no poor patient is deprived of treatment. From now on, all medical services at BMHRC will be completely free for Below Poverty Line (BPL) cardholders as well as financially helpless individuals, even if they do not possess a BPL card.
Dr. Manisha Srivastava, Director-in-Charge of BMHRC, announced the initiative following approval from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). She explained that earlier, while BPL patients paid only Rs 10 for registration and received free ward admission, charges were levied for tests, surgeries, and other treatments. Under the new policy, these services will now be entirely free.
In emergency cases, every patient will receive first aid and all medical care within the first 24 hours—without any charge—even before formal admission. Patients without attendants or identity proof will also not be denied treatment.
Medical Social Welfare Unit will be created
A Medical Social Welfare Unit will be created to assess financially helpless patients without BPL cards and to connect them with government schemes like Ayushman Bharat. Additionally, a “Patient Welfare Fund” will be set up, supported through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), public contributions, and donations, to cover the treatment costs of needy individuals.
Dr. Srivastava confirmed that a detailed policy and implementation framework is being prepared to ensure smooth execution and timely assistance to patients in need.
