Government hospitals across the country are meant to accept Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.
Four days on and the government's ban on 500 and 1,000 rupee bills is striking a mixed chord with people on the ground. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's sudden announcement on Tuesday to scrap the 500 and 1,000 rupee notes has left people of the country waiting in long queues outside the banks and ATMs. Hospitals seem to be one among the majorly affected sectors.
According to Central government directives, government hospitals across the country are meant to accept Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes for the next 72 hours to prevent common people from any inconvinience. NDTV did a reality check in three government hospitals in Delhi.
At the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), there were long, serpentine queues at SBI outlet inside the hospital premises with no cash available at the ATM.
"I have come to get my son treated but there is absolutely no cash in the ATM", said Anupam Datta.
But the situation was a little better at the AIIMS pharmacy, where patients could use their old 500 and 1,000 rupee notes to buy medicines.
However, not all patients reported such experiences. "My mother is down with TB; whichever counter I go to they say we will take this new note but we will return old 500 and 1,000 rupee notes to you", said Saroj Kumar Singh who had tried pharmacy outlets in both AIIMS and neighbouring Safdarjung Hospital.
Authorities at AIIMS claimed they were taking extra steps to prevent confusion and panic among patients.
"On day one (of the demonetization of 500 and 1000 rupees) we had passed an order that all payments below 500 would be exempted", said Dr Amit Gupta, the spokesperson for AIIMS.
In the neighbouring Safdarjung hospital, patients and relatives admitted contradictory experiences.
"The canteen on Gate one of Safdarjung hospital is not accepting new money. They are asking for loose change. Now where will my parents and I who have come from so far, eat?" asked Naveen Kumar from Bihar, whose sister was admitted to the hospital. He, like others, was facing major inconveniences in obtaining hospital amenities.
At Ram Manohar Lohia hospital, authorities claimed everything was under control. "We are abiding by the government's notification (to accept old notes for 72 hours more) and are accepting the money (from patients). Patients are having no difficulties and all hospital operations are underway smoothly", said Dr Sunil Saxena, the public relations officer of RML.
However, just outside the hospital, patients' relatives could be seen desperately looking to exchange cash. Several individuals who had come in from different states even reported that banks were demanding identity cards which many couldn't furnish since they did not carry it along with them.