Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has directed SevenStar Hospital (Jagnade Square) and Viveka Hospital (Subhash Nagar) to refund Rs23,96,040 to 76 Covid patients within two days or face action. The two private hospitals have allegedly recovered excess charges from patients under different services which are not permissible as per state government regulations.
Municipal commissioner Radhakrishnan B passed an order on Monday after holding their replies to show cause notices untenable.
As per the order, SevenStar Hospital had recovered excess charges of Rs5.99 lakh from 26 patients. “Auditors have found patients were charged for biomedical waste handling, Covid staff management and hospital control, housekeeping care and hygiene maintainence etc. The hospital stated that these charges were recovered under ‘exclusion criteria’ prescribed in the government’s order. There are no such provisions in this particular head,” said Radhakrishnan.
The civic chief said the hospital had violated norms. “This is loot of the patients and also defeats the purpose of the government notification. The hospital did not exclude and reduce the charges despite two letters issued by auditors,” said Radhakrishnan.
In August, the then municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe had levied a fine of Rs5 lakh on SevenStar for the same reasons. Police had also registered an offence on NMC’s complaint against the hospital.
Hospital spokesperson Dr Sadashiv Bhole said, “We are looking into the legalities of the notice.”
Viveka Hospital had recovered Rs17,97,040 extra from 50 patients for nutritional screening, housekeeping, linen handling, PPE kit, sanitization, bactorub, face shield, Covid utility kit, gloves, biomedical waste bags etc. Viveka Hospital representative said he will speak to TOI on Wednesday.
“After six letters, the hospital had assured to refund the excess charges but did not do so,” said Radhakrishnan.
The NMC has asked both hospitals to refund excess charges within two days and submit a compliance report. “In case of non-compliance, appropriate action will be taken,” he said.
Earlier, the NMC had issued notices to 16 hospitals. “Many have complied with the orders,” said additional municipal commissioner Jalaj Sharma.
Joseph George, president of NGO Together We Can, said, “A proper audit will reveal hospitals recovered more than the findings of the auditors.”
IN A NUTSHELL
* SevenStar and Viveka Hospitals recovered excess charges under various heads
* Did not reduce or refund excess charges despite letters issued by NMC auditors
*Show cause issued, replies submitted
* Civic chief finds them untenable
* Hospitals directed to refund Rs23,96,040 within 2 days or face action