Chandigarh, Feb. 25 -- Penalties ordered by the Punjab and Haryana high court (HC) have boosted contributions to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) 'poor patients' welfare fund' by 179%, data shared by the institution revealed.

In 2024-25, defaulters deposited Rs.2.5 crore into the fund on court directions, compared to Rs.89.5 lakh the year before. The momentum has continued in the current financial year, with Rs.2 crore collected in the first 10 months (April 2025-January 2026).

For many families arriving at PGIMER in moments of medical and financial distress, the poor patients' welfare fund serves as a crucial lifeline. It supports economically vulnerable patients, not covered under government healt...