A recent Delhi Government report has revealed that Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, one of the capital’s largest private healthcare institutions, attended to only 9–10% of patients from the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in its Outpatient Department (OPD) over the past five years — far below the mandated quota.

Under the terms of its land allotment agreement with the Delhi Government, the hospital is required to reserve 25% of OPD services and 10% of inpatient beds for EWS patients, providing free treatment and medical care. However, the latest data indicates a persistent shortfall in compliance.

The report, compiled by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), analyzed patient records between 2019 and 2024, concluding that the hospital has failed to meet its EWS obligations despite repeated notices and reviews.

A senior government official stated, “Hospitals given land at concessional rates are legally bound to serve underprivileged sections of society. The numbers from Indraprastha Apollo show a consistent pattern of underperformance.”

Officials also indicated that show-cause notices have been issued, and a review committee may recommend financial penalties or stricter enforcement actions if compliance does not improve.

When contacted, a spokesperson from Indraprastha Apollo Hospital said the hospital continues to honor its commitment to EWS patients and provides free treatment as per guidelines. The spokesperson added that “data verification and classification issues sometimes affect reported numbers”, and the hospital is working with authorities to address discrepancies.

Activists have long argued that private hospitals operating on government-granted land must be held accountable to ensure equitable access to healthcare for all citizens.

The Delhi Government is reportedly planning to conduct real-time audits of EWS patient records across all such hospitals using digital health monitoring systems, to ensure transparency and compliance going forward.