IMA to protest govt’s decision to fix Covid treatment rate for pvt hospitals

Nagpur: Maharashtra government’s decision to fix Covid-19 treatment rates across all hospitals hasn’t gone down well with Indian Medical Association (IMA). Terming it as a “unilateral one”, the apex body has decided to protest against the government’s move from Thursday.
All its branches would be holding a peaceful protest in front of offices of administrative officers, including the collectors and municipal commissioners, in their respective regions against the injustice meted out to doctors.
The decision in this regard was taken during IMA’s emergency state council meeting on September 4 where a resolution was unanimously approved to reject the government’s August 31 circular for fixing rates.
“The treatment rates at Covid hospitals were fixed up unilaterally without discussing it with the doctors or hospital bodies, on whether they’re affordable or not. Many private hospitals are on verge of closure on account of severe financial constraints. We condemn the government’s undemocratic behaviour,” IMA President Dr Avinash Bhondwe said, adding that around 45,000 doctors from all 216 branches will participate in the protests.
The IMA chief in a press release clarified that the hospitals were finding it difficult to meet the cost of oxygen, PPE kits, biomedical waste charges, staff salaries, disinfection at current rates set for hospital ICUs and others.
“Out of 25,000 hospitals in Maharashtra, most are on verge shutting down operations. The health minister had decided to convene a meeting with IMA representatives before August 31, to discuss a hike. However, without discussions, the health secretary issued a circular to maintain rates and added more items in it to make it more unaffordable,” Bhondwe said, adding that all doctors were being treated like criminals.