Greater Noida: The Active Citizen Team has submitted a memorandum to Jewar MLA Dhirendra Singh, urging him to intervene in a recent plot allocation scheme by the Greater Noida Authority. The group is calling for the reserved plots, currently earmarked for private hospitals, to instead be allocated for government-run healthcare facilities.

Citizens Raise Concerns Over Healthcare Inequity

The memorandum, submitted by a group of concerned residents including Alok Singh, Harinder Bhati, Anju Pundeer, Mamta Sharma, Ramesh Chandani, Ashish Sharma, Anil Kasana, Subhakar, and Vinod Singh, highlights the growing disparity between private and public healthcare infrastructure in Gautam Buddh Nagar.

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According to the team, while the number of private hospitals has steadily increased, public hospitals remain severely inadequate to meet the needs of the population. This gap has resulted in high out-of-pocket healthcare costs, disproportionately affecting economically weaker sections of society.

Key demands outlined in the memorandum

The team’s appeal draws attention to a recent bidding scheme floated by the Greater Noida Authority for four hospital plots, intended exclusively for private bidders. The concerns raised include:

1. Exorbitant Costs for Citizens: Bidding-based allocation ensures the plots are sold at significantly higher prices, leading private entities to charge inflated medical fees to recoup costs—ultimately burdening the common citizen.
2. Unjustified Preference for Private Players: When private hospitals already vastly outnumber public ones, the decision to allocate more land to private players seems unwarranted.
3. Proposal for a Public Model: Instead of selling the plots, the Authority could develop government hospitals in collaboration with public institutions, ensuring affordable care for all.
4. Revenue Potential for the Authority: Running government hospitals on these plots can also become a sustainable revenue stream, which can be reinvested in citizen welfare.

A Plea for equitable healthcare

The memorandum concludes with a strong recommendation that the plots meant for hospitals be withdrawn from the bidding process and prioritised for public healthcare infrastructure.

The citizens now await a response from the MLA and the Greater Noida Authority, hoping that their concerns will prompt a policy review that prioritises public health over profit.