India, May 24 -- The Delhi government's health department has issued a stern directive to private hospitals empanelled under schemes such as the Delhi Government Employees Health Scheme (DGEHS), warning them against discriminatory practices in treating scheme beneficiaries, according to an order seen by HT.

The order, issued on May 22, follows a string of complaints about delayed admissions, restricted consultations, and refusals to treat critically ill patients referred by government departments to private hospitals, officials aware of the matter said.

Calling these practices a violation of agreed terms, the order noted that some hospitals were assigning specific doctors exclusively to DGEHS cardholders and limiting consultation timing...