Why am I, a doctor, speaking about RTI?
Because healthcare is no longer held in the hands—or hearts—of doctors.
It has shifted into files, fine print, and financial protocols.
Medicine was once an art guided by judgment and compassion.
Today, treatment follows algorithms, hospital empanelment rules,
insurance clauses hidden in footnotes,
and taxes that punish care as commerce.
When decisions move from bedside to balance sheet,
Silence is no longer professionalism.
It is surrender.
✔️ Foreign PE/global investors do hold significant stakes in Indian hospital chains (Manipal, CARE, Aster, etc.). This is documented and ongoing.
✔️ Insurance–hospital integration is increasing (TPAs, insurer-owned networks, preferred provider models). This can push up billed costs, though direct ownership by insurers is still limited and regulated.
✔️ Consolidation pressure on small hospitals is real; compliance costs + insurance pricing disadvantage independents.
❌ “India will become like the US by 2027” may not accurate. India still has:
Price-sensitive patients
Government schemes (Ayushman Bharat, state health programs)
Regulatory ceilings (select procedures, implants, stents)
⚠️ Core risk is real: unchecked financialization can turn healthcare into a profit-maximized asset class unless regulated.
Sample RTI application format for medical records from private hospital
To file an RTI for medical records from a private hospital in India, use the public authority that oversees or regulates it (e.g., District Health Officer, NMC, or scheme like PMJAY), as private entities aren't directly under RTI but accessible via Section 2(f).
Sample RTI Format
Use this template on plain paper or download from rtionline.gov.in. Attach ₹10 fee (IPO/court fee stamp).
To,
The Public Information Officer,
[Name of Public Authority, e.g., Chief Medical Officer/District Health Office],
[Full Address, e.g., District Hospital, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh].
Subject: Application under RTI Act, 2005 seeking medical records of patient from [Hospital Name].
Dear Sir/Madam,
1. I am a citizen of India. Provide the following information in certified copies:
a. Complete medical records (including OPD/IPD register entries, consultation notes, diagnosis, test reports, prescriptions, discharge summary, bills) of patient [Full Patient Name, Age, Gender], treated at [Private Hospital Name & Full Address] from [Start Date] to [End Date], Patient ID/OPD No./IP No. [if known].
b. Copies of all reports/complaints filed by/with the hospital regarding this patient.
c. Action taken by your office on any inspection/regulation of the hospital under MCI/NMC Ethics Regulations 2002 or Ayushman Bharat/CGHS/ESIC schemes.
2. The hospital is [mention link, e.g., "empanelled under PMJAY" or "regulated by NMC"].
3. Provide information in English/Hindi; inspect if voluminous.
4. RTI Fee: ₹10 enclosed. No additional BPL fee needed.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Full Address]
[Phone/Mobile]
[Email]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Place: [ ]
DECLARATION: I am an Indian citizen.
Filing Tips
File online at rtionline.gov.in (select relevant ministry/dept) or by post.
Expect reply in 30 days; appeal if denied.
Customize for specifics like negligence/death (CIC mandates 72-hour access).
In the next concluding blog post, we will explore, What to do if private hospital refuses RTI request
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