PGIMER urges citizens to donate for poor patients under Poor Patient Assistance Cell
PGIMER urges citizens to donate for poor patients under Poor Patient Assistance Cell
Poor Patient Assistance Cell, PGIMER Chandigarh was set up in late 90’s with the purpose to help the families who could not afford medical treatment by providing them financial support through Poor Patient Welfare Fund. Though a number of schemes have been launched by the Government to assist the underprivileged from time to time but there is still a huge unmet need. There are patients who are unaware of the various schemes and how to enroll for these or take financial assistance. Lifesaving procedures are performed on an emergency basis in the hospital and huge finances are involved.
The number of patients assisted through the poor patient cell is rising with each passing year. Three thousand two hundred and forty eight (3248) patients were helped in the year 2020-2021 with an amount of Rs 1,39,41,066. As per Institute policy, charges related to investigation, admissions including diet are waived off for patients admitted under poor free category. The hospital supply items are provided to the patients. Surgical consumables and medicines which are not available in the hospital are arranged by poor patient cell using the donation money after following proper procedure. The whole process from donation to final utilization of this fund is transparent and is audited annually.
Over the years so many concerned citizens of Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, and other neighboring states have come forward to donate for the cause. Donations are also received through Judicial Orders from Punjab & Haryana High Court, Corporate Social Responsibility obligations, NGO & Trusts. These donations are eligible for deduction under sub clause iii (f) of section 80G (2) of the Income Tax Act. In order to further ease the process, the institute started the process of online donation under Poor Patient Welfare Fund w.e.f 15th September 2018. Each year more than 3000 patients are being benefited through this fund by arranging medicines and consumables and the number is increasing.
In the recent COVID-19 Pandemic, a lot many people lost their jobs and are unable to afford treatment. In such a situation, Poor Patient Assistance Cell has assumed greater responsibility and the need of donation has increased manyfold. However, the institute is able to sustain such a large volume of care to the poor only because of the support from kind, generous and concerned members of our Community. We would be thankful if you continue to assist us in caring for the sick by donating generously and saving precious lives. Your donations, big or small, while celebrating birthdays and anniversaries or in memory of loved ones will be greatly valued and will help immensely in providing lifesaving treatment.
The donations can be made either online or by Cheque/DD. The online donation is available on www.pgimer.edu.in. and a receipt for donated amount is generated there and then, which also mentions the exemption under Income Tax Act. The cheque/DD can be made in favor of Director PGIMER Chandigarh (Poor Patient Welfare Fund). We are available from 9:30 AM to 5 PM (Monday to Friday) & 9:30 AM to 1:45 PM (Saturday) to answer any related queries.
