Korba, Chhattisgarh | The SanvaadGarh
In the heart of Chhattisgarh’s industrial hub, NTPC Korba Hospital stands as a beacon of healthcare for thousands employees of the National Thermal Power Corporation and local residents alike. But for Mohammed Sadique Sheikh, a 49-year-old from Krishna Vihar, a visit to this hospital in August 2024 turned into a harrowing ordeal, exposing a policy that prioritises NTPC employees over paying non-employees, even in pain.
A Fall, a Fee, and a Wait
On August 2, 2024, Sheikh fell while cleaning his roof, injuring his left rib and surrounding area. Wracked with pain, he visited NTPC Korba Hospital, paid the ₹100 OPD fee, and received token number 8 to consult Dr. Dharmendra Prasad, a surgeon. After a brief examination, Dr. Prasad prescribed medication and an X-ray, but the X-ray facility was closed for the evening, forcing Sheikh to return home.
The next day, August 3, Sheikh paid ₹360 for the X-ray, obtained the report, and waited to see Dr. Prasad again. As he sat in agony, he noticed NTPC employees who arrived later being ushered in first by the attendant. After nearly 30 minutes, Sheikh questioned the delay, only to face a shocking revelation: NTPC’s unwritten “2:1 protocol” prioritises two employees for every non-employee patient.
Confrontation and Denial
When Sheikh was finally called in, Dr. Prasad allegedly berated him for questioning the policy, stating, “NTPC employees are seen first; this is our protocol. Come when the attendant sends you.” Sheikh’s plea—that no such protocol justifies discrimination—fell on deaf ears. The Chief Medical Officer (CMO), informed of the dispute, reinforced the policy and refused further treatment, reportedly ejecting Sheikh with harsh words: “Who are you to demand our orders?”
Sheikh left untreated, his pain compounded by humiliation. “I paid the same fees as anyone else,” he later told The SanvaadGarh. “Why should my suffering wait because I’m not an NTPC employee?”
Justice in the Consumer Forum
Sheikh’s ordeal led to a consumer complaint (CC/24/110) filed with the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Korba, on November 13, 2024. On April 17, 2025, the Commission delivered a landmark verdict, ruling that NTPC Korba Hospital’s prioritisation policy was discriminatory and violated fundamental rights:
- Article 14 of the Indian Constitution guarantees equality before the law.
- The Indian Medical Council Regulations, 2002 mandate non-discriminatory treatment.
- The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 protects patients as consumers, entitled to equal service.
The Commission found no written evidence for the 2:1 protocol, deeming it arbitrary. Citing precedents like Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity (1996) and Consumer Education and Research Centre (2018), it ordered NTPC to pay Sheikh compensation (amount undisclosed), with 6% interest if delayed beyond 30 days, and to establish non-discriminatory policies.
A Community’s Cry for Fairness
Korba’s residents, many reliant on NTPC’s hospital due to limited alternatives, have long whispered about unequal treatment. “We pay for care, but we’re treated like second-class patients,” said a local shopkeeper, requesting anonymity. The verdict has sparked hope but also questions: Will NTPC reform its practices, or will non-employees continue to wait in pain?
The Bigger Picture
NTPC Korba Hospital, primarily for employees and families, serves non-employees for a fee, a model common in industrial townships. But the absence of a transparent protocol raises concerns about accountability. The Commission’s ruling challenges such practices nationwide, reinforcing that healthcare cannot favor corporate insiders over the public.
❗ The SanvaadGarh Verdict
No patient should suffer bias in a hospital bed. NTPC Korba must not only comply with the court’s orders but also rebuild trust with the community it serves.
Stay tuned as we hold power to account, from Korba’s clinics to corporate boardrooms.
#NTPC #Health #ConsumerRights #Chhattisgarh
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