Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jul 11: There have been complaints from various parts of the state about private hospitals making out huge bills for treating coronavirus patients. In an incident that happened in the city, two patients, who were taken aback by the unusually large amount mentioned in the bill, went away from the hospital.

The state government has already determined the charges private hospitals can levy for coronavirus treatment. But there have been numerous incidents where excessive money is being charged to such patients. Two infected persons not having enough money, who were treated in a hospital, were about to be discharged. However, when they saw the bill, they were shocked. One of them was charged over two lac rupees, while the other got a bill of Rs 1.9 lac. They questioned the hospital about the rationale for charging such huge sums, an eyewitness stated.

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He went on to explain that one of the infected persons told the hospital authorities that he does not have so much money and sought a reduction in the bill. But the hospital authorities were not agreeing. After discussions, both the infected persons walked out of the hospital, he said. However, it is learnt that the two visited the hospital the next day and settled their bills.

The government has fixed Rs 10,000 per day for general ward patients in private hospitals but the hospitals, it is said, charge much more. Discussions on this issue are often conducted on social media. However, a private hospital here has turned out as a model for others by officially publishing its rates.

District health department officials have asked the people to get treated at government hospitals for free, and pointed out that a chief executive officer of a Dubai-based international company and his family members got treated at Wenlock Hospital. In cases where government hospitals are full, as per the approval of the government medical officer, the government foots the bill of private hospitals as per charges already prescribed, the in-charge district health officer, Dr Ratnakar, said. He also said that it is mandatory for private hospitals to display rate boards for treating different conditions.

Social worker Jerald Towers, has asked the district administration to keep a check on such developments and take actions against violators.