HC tells state govt to check treatment cost at pvt hospitals

HC tells state govt to check treatment cost at pvt hospitals

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:22.05.2021

Exorbitant Covid-19 treatment charges and overcharging by private hospitals have now come under the Madras high court scrutiny. Entertaining a PIL on the issue, the court has directed Tamil Nadu government to file a response by May 24, explaining the measures to regulate hospital fees.

“While the services rendered by doctors and nurses even in private medical facilities must be appreciated, there are reports of exorbitant amounts being demanded, whether at the time of admission or at the time of discharge,” said the first bench of chief justice Sanjib Banerjee and justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy on Friday.

The petitioner, D I Natha, alleged that private nursing homes, poly-clinics and the likes were raising exorbitant bills on Covid-19 patients in some cases. Admitting the plea, the bench said the issue must be looked into by the state government as several complaints in such regard had been received, including letters addressed to the court. It directed the state to file its response by May 24.

According to the petitioner, private hospitals are charging a minimum of ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh from all Covid patients who seek admission. Stressing on the need for the government to take immediate steps to regulate fee charged by such hospitals providing Covid-19 treatment, the petitioner said, “considering the current situation, the state must device a scheme to take over the management of all such private hospitals at least till the rapid spread of the infection is brought under control.”

Another plea was moved by A Anand, alleging collection of exorbitant fees by private hospitals in Puducherry, despite an assurance given by the government to reimburse expenses incurred by such hospitals in providing Covid-19 treatment. The bench directed the government of Puducherry to file its reply by June 3.