Healthcare turns dearer as Covid-19 tightens grip on public

Mangaluru: One way or the other, Covid-19 is exacting a heavy price on the livelihood of the public. Not only has the Indian economy taken a nosedive following the outbreak of the pandemic, but healthcare has become considerably less affordable to a large section of the public. A recent incident wherein medical education minister K Sudhakar took exception with a private hospital, which allegedly charged a patient Rs 5 lakh for treatment.
Among the reasons for the general spike in the cost for treatment at private healthcare institutions is the amount patients are being charged for masks, face shields among other protective equipment. A 46-year-old Mangaluru-based businessman, who accompanied his cousin, who subsequently tested positive for the novel coronavirus, to a private hospital, had to pay Rs 21,305 for an overnight stay there. Among other things, he was charged for eight PPE kits.
Karnataka president of Democratic Youth Federation of India Muneer Katipalla cited the case of a 52-year-old patient with dengue, who when he was rushed to one private hospital, was refused treatment owing to lack of beds, while he was declared brought dead at another. However, the kin was still charged Rs 8,500 at the latter hospital. “The family members had to wait for several hours before the final rites could be performed. Nearly Rs 8,000 had to be spent on PPE kits alone,” Katipalla said.
District health officer Dr Ramachandra Bairy said that PPE kits were not included for waiver under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which was why they were charged to patients at private hospitals.
Pandemic a money-spinner?
On the other hand, many private hospitals in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts are being charged with fleecing patients, who are being informed that they are receiving treatment for Covid-19, and being kept at the institutions for three to four days, at the end of which many of them are being sent home after testing negative for the novel coronavirus.
A 70-year-old resident of Sampige, with a pre-existing cardiological condition, was admitted to a private hospital, where the staff told him he was positive for the novel coronavirus. Overriding his protestations as to the implausibility of such a thing – he had never been in contact with a previously infected patient nor had he travelled outside Mangaluru – he was admitted to the hospital, where he was treated for five days, at the end of which he was presented with a bill for services rendered: Rs 80,000. “But none of the others in my home, including my wife tested positive for the virus. Furthermore, my house was sealed for a fortnight,” the elderly man said.
Mangaluru: A lot of private hospitals in coastal district—Dakshina Kannada and Udupi - have been accused of fleecing patients after they allegedly tested ‘positive’ for Covid-19. Interestingly, patients also alleged they test ‘negative’ for the virus after three or four days.
In an audio clip that has gone viral on social media platforms, a man recalls having visited a private hospital complaining of stomachache, and being informed he was infected with Covid-19. “After three days, tests showed that I was negative for the virus, and was discharged. I was charged Rs 90,000. How could I be cured of Covid-19 in just three days? Moreover, none in my family tested positive. Why is the government mum on what is clearly a case of daylight robbery?” this man asked.
Another man in Moodbidri coughed up Rs 70,000 after he was confirmed infected at a private hospital, which he visited complaining of heart problems.
However, a spokesperson of a leading private hospital in the region dismissed these allegations. “All patients want the best treatment we can offer, but then hurl baseless allegations when they are discharged,” he said.