Delhi government is going to pay the bills for surgeries at private hospitals in Delhi.

NEW DELHI: Residents of Delhi who are unable to have surgeries at any government hospital in the city can now get free surgery in 48 private hospitals without having to worry about huge bills. The bills, for which no upper limit has been set, will be paid by the Delhi government. "We lay emphasis on health and education, there will be no dearth of

A patient needing surgery which cannot be performed at a government hospital within 30 days or if the hospital doesn't have infrastructure can be referred to a private hospital. The free surgery can be conducted within a fortnight.

The patient needs to submit residence proof with the OPD slip (containing referral to private hospital) with an authorisation form (available at the hospital) to the nodal officer of the Delhi Arogya Kosh from where she will get the authorisation letter allowing treatment at private hospital.The hospital administration will assist the patients' family in the process.

"A patient can choose any of the hospitals among the 48 empanelled ones for the surgery ," health minister Satyendar Jain said.Among the private hospitals are Max Hospital, ILBS Hospital, Batra Hospital, Medanta Medicity , Jeevan Nursing Home, Delhi Heart and Lung Institute, Maharaja Agrasen Hospital located in Delhi NCR. The free facility is, however, available only for 52 types of specified surgeries, like heart bypass, laparoscopic gall bladder surgery etc.