Refund excess charges taken from +ve patients in 2 days: NMC to pvt hosp

Nagpur: In what the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) claims to be first-of-its-kind action in Vidarbha, it has directed Wockhardt dedicated covid hospital (DCH) to return excess amount charged from 12 Covid-19 positive patients who recovered and got discharge from there.
The order issued on Saturday by municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe stated that the hospital was supposed to take charges finalized by the state government and NMC. Instead, hospital charged these patients at its own rates, the order said.
The hospital was also ordered to return the difference in amount of bill and advance taken from patients. Advance was taken from all patients but the hospital did not return the amount left after deduction of bill to a few patients, the order said.
The hospital has been told to submit compliance within two days, meaning it will have to return the amount to all patients within this period.
If the hospital fails to comply with the order, it was warned of action under The Epidemic Diseases Act-1897, Disaster Management Act-2005, Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance (Amendment) Act-2011, Mumbai Nursing Home (Amendment) Act-2006, Bombay Nursing Home (Amendment) Act-2006 and Bombay Public Trusts Act-1950.
A statement issued by K Sujatha, centre head, Wockhardt Hospital, said that managing a Covid hospital is a complex process. "Wockhardt has tried to provide best clinical team, trained para clinical team, comprehensive care under one roof," the hospital said while assuring cooperation to the civic chief to fight the pandemic.
The hospital is city’s first DCH with capacity of 40 beds. The hospital has also been directed to ensure admission of patients first under 80% government quota and only after these beds are occupied, it can admit patients in remaining 20% beds as per its own rates.
Citing state government’s order dated May 21, Mundhe had issued circular fixing charges for Covid-19 and non-Covid services. The order had clearly stated that first 80% of total beds should be occupied and patients should be charged as per rates finalized by the government. The hospital can charge as per its rates for remaining 20% beds.
The NMC had on July 25 deputed officers to monitor the rates being charged by the health care providers in the city for effective control of the pandemic. The team visited Wockhardt Hospital on July 26. Various types of violations came to fore after inspection and verification of records and information submitted by the hospital. Mundhe issued a show cause notice to the hospital on August 4.
In the latest order, Mundhe said the hospital did not given reply to all points raised in the show-cause notice. The hospital has been told to reply to all points after which Mundhe will take final action.
Following TOI’s report, the NMC had found similar violations at Seven Star Hospital located at Jagnade square. A similar show cause notice was issued to the hospital. Action is awaited in this case.