Noida: Raising concerns over the limited availability of government healthcare facilities in the city, members of the Active Citizen Team submitted a memorandum to Noida MLA Pankaj Singh on Monday, urging authorities to cancel a scheme floated by the Noida Authority for allotment of hospital land to private institutions through a bidding process.
The delegation requested that instead of allocating land for private hospitals, the Noida Authority should establish government-run hospitals to cater to the healthcare needs of the city’s growing population. According to the memorandum, the current healthcare infrastructure in Noida is heavily tilted towards the private sector, with nearly 95 percent of hospitals being privately operated and only around 5 per cent falling under the government healthcare system.
Concern over the accessibility and affordability of healthcare
Members of the Active Citizen Team highlighted that a significant section of Noida’s population belongs to the lower-income and middle-income groups, including salaried employees, farmers and labourers. They argued that the high treatment costs at large private hospitals often place quality healthcare beyond the reach of many families.
The memorandum emphasized that expanding government healthcare facilities would help provide affordable medical services and reduce the financial burden on residents who struggle to meet the expenses of treatment in private institutions.
Demand to scrap the private hospital allotment scheme
The residents expressed concern over the Noida Authority’s recent scheme under which hospital plots are being offered to private entities through competitive bidding. They urged the authority to reconsider the policy and prioritize the development of public healthcare infrastructure instead.
According to the delegation, government hospitals are essential to ensure equitable access to healthcare and to meet the needs of economically weaker sections of society.
MLA assures positive consideration
During the meeting, MLA Pankaj Singh assured the delegation that the matter would be examined and that positive steps would be considered regarding the concerns raised by residents.
The memorandum was submitted on behalf of several Active Citizen Team members, including Manjit Singh, Alok Singh, Harendra Bhati, Ashish Sharma, Sadhana Sinha, Anju Pundir, J.P.S. Rawat, Sunil Pradhan, Anil Kasana, Ramesh Premchandani and R.K. Shahi.
Residents hope that the demand for more government healthcare facilities will receive due attention, particularly at a time when affordable and accessible medical services remain a key concern for a large section of Noida’s population.