Maharashtra Govt slashes COVID-19 treatment cost at private hospitals

On Tuesday, June 1, in order to provide major relief to the patients suffering from COVID-19, the state government, led by Uddhav Thackeray, decided to stop private hospitals from overcharging patients suffering from the coronavirus.

CM Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray has approved notification to ensure that Private Hospitals in the state cannot overcharge patients for COVID treatment.

He has also directed the District Collectors & Municipal Commissioners for strict & effective implementation. pic.twitter.com/bdgTUQ2OML

— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) June 1, 2021

According to reports, the cost for routine wards and isolation beds in Class A, Class B and C cities of Maharashtra will be capped at INR 4,000, INR 3,000 and INR 2,400 respectively. Similarly, ICU beds and ventilators would cost INR 9,000, INR 6,700 and INR 5,400 in the three categories of cities. The cost includes health monitoring, medication, oxygen support, consultations, bed charges, nursing as well as meals. However, it excludes interventional procedures and high-end medications.

On the other hand, amidst the second wave of the coronavirus, the state government has already started prepping up for the third wave to minimize its impact. Meanwhile, according to the latest reports, more than 8,000 children have contracted the virus in the month of May in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district.

However, after it was found that about 10 per cent of the cases in the district have been detected from children and teenagers, the authorities of the state recently also went on high alert. “This is worrying,” said Ahmednagar district chief Rajendra Bhosale to reporters.

Besides, there is a constant fear of a possible third wave of the coronavirus. Experts believe that the third wave may hit Maharashtra and other states in August-September. This wave is expected to impact the children the most. The state has already started to prepare for the same and a COVID-19 ward for children is being prepared in the Sangli district where five children are being treated currently.

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