BMC to take action against hospitals for overcharging patients

On April 30, 2020, Mumbai City Guardian Minister Aslam Shaikh had issued a notification directing the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to take action against hospitals that overcharge COVID-19 as well as other patients amid the pandemic despite fixating charges. Shaikh had written in his letter to the BMC Commissioner that despite receiving the regulations from the government, some hospitals have been openly flouting them. He asked the civic body to take strict action such 'for-profit' private hospitals.

Some Private hospitals continue to charge exorbitant fees for treatment of the #COVID19 & other patients despite fixation of charges. #BMC has been instructed to take strict action against such hospitals. https://t.co/7khnxVrXl0

— Aslam Shaikh, INC #StayHomeStaySafe (@AslamShaikh_MLA) May 9, 2020

Taking to Twitter to express his displeasure towards the malpractice, Shaikha said, "Hospitals can’t hold back patient, body over unpaid bills."

Hospitals can’t hold back patient, body over unpaid bills.
It should update the charges on its website as described in the 'Charters of Patient Rights'.The hospitals should be informed to guarantee compliance with the rates prescribed by the government. #WarAgainstVirus #COVID19 https://t.co/Bftat6mZFS

— Aslam Shaikh, INC #StayHomeStaySafe (@AslamShaikh_MLA) May 9, 2020

He directed the hospitals to update the charges for treatment on its website as described in the 'Charters of Patient Rights'. Alongside, the hospitals have been asked to "guarantee compliance with the rates prescribed by the government."

The reaction from Shaikh comes in the wake of several complaints regarding the private hospitals charging exorbitantly amid the pandemic. As per reports some of the hospitals have encashed on the opportunity and charged lakhs of rupees for treatment of coronavirus.

Meanwhile, the pandemic still continues to trouble the city as the tally of COVID-19 cases in Mumbai has reached 13,739. Mumbai accounts for 62 per cent of the total coronavirus cases in Maharashtra (22,161). As of May 11, 5:15 pm, the state has reported 22,161 cases and 832 fatalities. On the brighter side, 4,199 persons have recovered from the pandemic so far.

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