Ludhiana, July 12 -- Government hospitals in Ludhiana and across Punjab can now use user charges collected from patients to meet litigation-related expenses after the state health department authorised senior medical officers (SMOs) and civil surgeons to utilise the funds for preparing court replies, affidavits, written statements and obtaining legal opinions in official court cases.

The directorate of health and family welfare, Punjab, has permitted government health institutions to utilise user charges for expenses incurred in court cases involving SMOs and civil surgeons. The order, issued on July 10, covers preparation of written statements, replies, affidavits, additional affidavits and legal opinions, subject to prescribed financia...