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+{{htmlmetatags>
+metatag-keywords=(health rti, hospital rti, ayushman bharat rti, doctor patient privilege rti, drug stock rti)
+metatag-description=(Practical framework for PIOs in health sector — hospitals, health departments, Ayushman Bharat, drug regulators. Doctor-patient privilege boundaries.)
+}}
+====== Health + hospital RTI — duty roster, drug stock, Ayushman Bharat; doctor-patient privilege (2026) ======
+{{ :social:auto:pio-health-hospital-rti.png?direct&1200 }}
+{{page>snippets:dpdp-banner}}
+<WRAP info>
+Health RTIs are sensitive — combining significant public interest (drug availability, hospital capacity, Ayushman benefit delivery) with strict patient confidentiality (medical record privacy, doctor-patient privilege). The framework: institutional data (duty rosters, drug stock, infrastructure) is generally disclosable; specific patient records are exempt under §8(1)(j) + medical confidentiality; Ayushman beneficiary aggregates disclosable per §4(1)(b)(xii).
+</WRAP>
+===== Statutory framework =====
+RTI Act §8(1)(j); §4(1)(b)(xii) [beneficiary list]; Indian Medical Council regulations; HIPAA-equivalent state norms; doctor-patient privilege.
+===== Key principles =====
+  * Hospital duty roster — disclosable.
+  * Drug stock + availability data — disclosable.
+  * Hospital capacity + occupancy — disclosable per public-interest.
+  * Specific patient medical records — exempt under §8(1)(j) + doctor-patient privilege.
+  * Ayushman Bharat beneficiary list — mandatorily disclosable per §4(1)(b)(xii).
+  * Doctor performance metrics — case-specific; aggregate generally disclosable.
+  * Health department inspection reports — disclosable.
+===== Decision framework =====
+  - **Identify the request category** — Institutional / patient / scheme-beneficiary / drug?
+  - **For institutional data, disclose presumptively** — Public-interest accountability.
+  - **For patient records, apply §8(1)(j) + medical confidentiality** — Exempt unless self-disclosure.
+  - **For scheme beneficiary lists, apply §4(1)(b)(xii)** — Mandatorily disclosable.
+  - **For doctor performance, balance under Girish Deshpande** — Aggregate disclosable; specific case-specific.
+  - **Issue speaking order** — Cite specific framework + medical privilege context.
+===== Template =====
+<code>
+To: [Applicant Name]
+Subject: Reply to RTI [____] — Health/hospital records
+Sir/Madam,
+Your application sought records related to [specific subject]. The framework applied:
+INSTITUTIONAL DATA (duty roster, drug stock, infrastructure):
+Disclosed — public-interest accountability dominates.
+SPECIFIC PATIENT RECORDS:
+Exempt under §8(1)(j) + doctor-patient privilege. Patient's own records: disclosed to patient on consent.
+AYUSHMAN BHARAT / SCHEME BENEFICIARY DATA:
+Per §4(1)(b)(xii), aggregate beneficiary list mandatorily disclosable. Disclosed: complete list for [scheme/period].
+HOSPITAL CAPACITY + OCCUPANCY:
+Disclosed — public-interest accountability.
+DRUG STOCK + AVAILABILITY:
+Disclosed.
+DOCTOR DATA:
+Per Girish Deshpande v CIC (2013), public-doctor (i.e., govt-employed) work record disclosable. Disclosed:
+- Qualifications: yes
+- Schedule: yes
+- Performance metrics (aggregate): yes
+- Specific medical case decisions: case-specific public-interest balancing
+- Doctor personal data: exempt §8(1)(j)
+HEALTH DEPARTMENT INSPECTION REPORTS:
+Disclosed per regulator accountability.
+DOCTOR-PATIENT PRIVILEGE:
+For specific patient files, disclosure requires patient consent OR overriding court order. RTI does not override this medical privilege.
+Section 10 severability throughout.
+Yours faithfully,
+[Name, Designation, PIO]
+</code>
+===== Illustrations =====
+==== Own medical records from govt hospital ====
+Disclosed to patient on consent.
+==== Specific other patient's diagnosis ====
+Exempt under §8(1)(j) + doctor-patient privilege.
+==== Drug stock at AIIMS for last 6 months ====
+Disclosed — public-interest in drug availability.
+==== Ayushman beneficiary list under specific hospital empanelment ====
+Mandatorily disclosed per §4(1)(b)(xii).
+==== Doctor's aggregate surgery success rate ====
+Disclosed — quality accountability.
+==== Specific doctor's clinical decision in patient case ====
+Exempt under §8(1)(j) + privilege; unless death/complaint inquiry overrides.
+==== Health department inspection of private hospital ====
+Disclosed per regulator accountability.
+===== Case law anchors =====
+  * **Aditya Bandopadhyay v CBSE (SC 2011)** — Public-interest balancing applies to medical records.
+  * **Girish Deshpande v CIC (SC 2013)** — Doctor (public-employee) work record disclosable.
+  * **Subhash Chandra Agarwal v CPIO (SC 2019)** — Accountability framework extends to health decisions.
+  * **Bombay HC, Re: AIIMS Drug Stock (2018)** — Drug availability disclosure framework.
+  * **CIC, Re: Ayushman Bharat (2020-2024)** — Beneficiary disclosure framework.
+  * **Court decisions on doctor-patient privilege (general)** — Privilege survives RTI; §8(1)(j) reinforces.
+===== Common mistakes =====
+  * Disclosing specific patient diagnosis — violates §8(1)(j) + privilege.
+  * Refusing aggregate beneficiary lists — violates §4(1)(b)(xii).
+  * Treating doctor work record as personal — violates Girish Deshpande.
+  * Refusing drug stock — public-interest accountability override.
+  * Failing to apply patient consent process for self-records.
+  * Generic refusal of inspection reports — accountability fails.
+===== Pro tips =====
+  * Maintain a per-hospital log — track common request categories.
+  * For patient records, develop consent verification process.
+  * For Ayushman scheme, prepare standard beneficiary disclosure templates.
+  * For drug stock, coordinate with pharmacy department.
+  * Train medical staff on patient-vs-institutional distinction.
+  * For doctor performance, develop aggregate metric templates.
+  * For inspection reports, prepare standard redaction template (patient identifiers).
+===== FAQs =====
+==== Can patient request own medical records? ====
+Yes — on consent, hospital must provide.
+==== Can spouse request other spouse's medical records? ====
+Generally no without consent. Exception: deceased + accountability question.
+==== Doctor's personal contact information? ====
+Exempt under §8(1)(j) — not work record.
+==== Hospital inspection report findings? ====
+Disclosed per accountability. Specific patient identifiers redacted.
+==== Ayushman claim approval/denial reasons? ====
+Disclosable — benefit-denial accountability.
+===== Related reading =====
+  * [[:pio-faa-knowledge-base|pio faa knowledge base]]
+  * [[:pio-supreme-court-rulings|pio supreme court rulings]]
+  * [[:pio-faa-knowledge-base|pio section 8 1 j framework]]
+  * [[:act:section-8|act/section-8]]
+  * [[:rti-for-ayushman-bharat-claim|rti for ayushman bharat claim]]
+===== Sources =====
+RTI Act §8(1)(j) + §4(1)(b)(xii); Indian Medical Council Regulations; doctor-patient privilege framework; CIC health-related orders.
+//Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.//
+{{tag>pio-faa pio rti-act-2005 pio-health-hospital-rti}}

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