Over 30 hospitals pulled up for violations

More than 30 non-public hospitals in Tamil Nadu have been pulled up for overcharging sufferers for COVID-19 therapy. Following motion from the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services (DMS), a majority of those hospitals have refunded the surplus expenses to the sufferers.

Non-compliance with therapy prices fastened by the State authorities was one of many most important violations that got here to the discover of officers. “There were many issues related to payments. We received more than 30 complaints on excess charging by private hospitals. We took action and have settled almost all complaints. Hospitals have refunded the excess amounts to the patients,” an official of the Health Department mentioned.

The authorities, in (*30*), had categorized non-public hospitals, and glued a most of ₹7,500 a day for therapy within the basic ward in grade A1/A2 hospitals, and up to ₹5,000 a day for grade A3/A4 hospitals, whereas a most of ₹15,000 was fastened for therapy in ICUs in all classes of hospitals.

“The cost was fixed for ICU and non-ICU wards. But private hospitals have single and double rooms and suites as well. So they went ahead and increased the charges. We intervened following complaints and made them reduce the prices. Many hospitals have been complying with the government-stipulated fee structure, and we have been conducting regular checks,” he mentioned.

Earlier, 9 non-public hospitals confronted “temporary cancellation” of permits to deal with COVID-19 sufferers after varied violations of norms laid down by the Central and State governments. “Some hospitals did not follow COVID-19 protocols, such as those pertaining to carrying out investigations and giving treatment. On verification, we first issued a warning. When the violations continued and there were more complaints, we took action. We temporarily cancelled licenses of nine hospitals to treat COVID-19 patients and have now revoked the suspension for more than half the facilities, following explanations and undertakings not to repeat,” the official mentioned.

Periodic revisions in COVID-19 therapy protocols, by the Centre, the State authorities and the Indian Council of Medical Research, had been communicated to non-public hospitals by way of Joint Directors within the districts, he added.