Nagpur: Frequent harassment by
relatives and political outfits over high Covid-19 treatment charges,
private hospitals feel the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (
NMC) must now go back to original plan of treating all coronavirus
patients at medical colleges only.
Asked about this, municipal commissioner Radhakrishnan B told TOI, “People should opt for government facilities now.”
The civic chief, however, ruled out shifting of existing patients from private hospitals to government ones as it will cause inconvenience to the people. But, he said, hospitals are free to file police complaints in case of law and order situation. “I will request commissioner of police to assist hospitals in handling people who indulge in such activities,” said Radhakrishnan.
On Wednesday, Vidarbha
Hospital Association (VHA) wrote a letter to mayor and forwarded copies to the HC-appointed
Covid Coordination Committee, divisional commissioner, collector beside civic chief highlighting their plight.
The private hospitals were roped in after surge in Covid cases and lack of sufficient beds at GMC, IGGMCH and AIIMS. With steep decline in cases now, number of Covid patients requiring hospitalization too has dipped and many beds are now available in medical colleges.
VHA president Dr Ashok Arbat said since many beds are vacant at GMCH and IGGMCH, Covid patients should get free treatment at these facilities. “Let the private hospitals treat non-Covid patients. NMC should direct these Covid patients to government set-ups,” he said.
Dr Pradeep Arora, who is petitioner in price cap case, said there is need to file a petition on the hospital bill audit issue as well. “There are many things which need to be carefully evaluated by a medical professional. Executives going by a rate list, even when a patient has gone home fully satisfied, is unjustified. It is state-sponsored
vigilantism. Then there are miscreants and goons, who for a commission, help unscrupulous complainants in
extorting money from hospitals. The bill amount may be high.”
On Wednesday, TOI had reported about private hospitals seeking NMC help in rising cases of refund and harassment by relatives of Covid patients.
In its letter, the VHA said, “It is noted that discharged patients are now under misconception that if they call helpline, they will get refund of the total hospital payment. VHA has sought confirmation from Nagpur mayor under which law has this practice been commenced.”
“Presuming that bill gets checked by bill dispute counter and is noted that there is no hanky-panky, in such case will action be taken against false complainants? The goodwill of hospitals is being murdered without any trial by the executive and media. News should be sent to media only after allegations are confirmed,” the letter reads.
The development comes in the wake of political outfits releasing social media message asking people to contact their helpline in case they find the bills very high.