In a startling revelation, the government has found that only four institutions in the country are treating poor patients free of cost.
Over 350 hospitals had availed exemption in customs duty while importing medical equipment, on the condition that they would treat poor patients free of cost, but did little in that direction.
Aggrieved by the findings, the health ministry has asked the finance ministry to recover the money with interest from the hospitals that sought to take the government, as also the poor, for a ride.