Move harsh and unfair: Max Healthcare

New Delhi : The decision to cancel the licence of Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh was “harsh” and “unfair” and it will severely limit patients from accessing treatment, the hospital group on Friday said.

Max Healthcare authorities, in a statement, issued hours after the cancellation of the licence by the Delhi government, said, “We have not been given an adequate opportunity to be heard.”

“We have received the notice of cancellation of the license of Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh. We strongly believe that this ruling is harsh,” it said.

“We believe that even if there is an individual error of judgement, holding the hospital responsible is unfair and it will severely limit the ability for patients to access treatment. This will compound the shortage of hospital facilities in the national capital,” the Max Healthcare authorities said.

The Delhi government cancelled the licence of the superspecialty facility in northwest Delhi with immediate effect for alleged medical negligence. The move came after a three-member inquiry panel of the government submitted its final report to health minister Satyendar Jain, who described the incident as “not acceptable”.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) of the Delhi government’s heath department, the licence has been cancelled till further orders.

“We will explore all options available to us. We stand firmly behind our commitment to patient care, clinical and service excellence to the best of our capabilities,” the hospital’s statement added. The IMA also termed “too harsh a step”  the cancellation of the licence of Max Hospital in Shalimar Bagh by the Delhi government, saying action should be initiated against “those who are at fault” after inquiry.

Indian Medical Association (IMA) president K.K. Aggarwal, also a cardiologist, said the government decision was “not in the interest of society.”