There have been several instances of Mumbai’s private hospitals overcharging patients for COVID-19 treatment. Though the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has offered refunds to some of the patients after collecting it from the hospitals, it’s clear that the concern with regard to overcharging still looms large.
Addressing these concerns, the Bombay High Court pointed fingers at the Maharashtra State Government for the lack of a mechanism to stop private hospitals from overcharging patients for items like PPEs or personal protective equipment kits. Additionally, the court asked the State Government to come up with a robust solution to this and provide a viable solution in two weeks’ time.
The High Court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Adv. Abhijeet Mangade mentioned that COVID and non-COVID patients were charged for gloves, PPEs as well as N95 masks. The PIL was heard by a division bench consisting of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Revati Mohite-Dere.
The advocate added that the price of each PPE kit was capped at ₹378 by the State, whereas some hospitals were found to be charging more.
Also Read - Navi Mumbai Civic Body Issues Directives To Hospitals Against Overcharging Patients
The PIL plainly points blame at the enforcement of the directives laid out by the State on May 21 which restricted hospitals from overcharging patients by capping the cost of services. However, these directives were plainly ignored by the hospitals that continued to charge higher fees for items used by the staff around the patients.
Government Pleader, Nisha Mehra said that powers have been provided to municipal corporations as well as district collectors to take appropriate action against hospitals that are overcharging patients. Mehra added that notices were issued to the violating hospitals and that such institutions have also been asked to refund the overcharged amounts to the impacted patients.
The Court has summoned Maharashtra Advocate General, Ashutosh Kumbhakoni to be present at the next hearing slated for September 8. “We expect the state to apply its mind on the same and come up with the proper mechanism to address concerns raised by the petitioner,” the court said.
Also read - Private Hospital In Ulhasnagar Gets Notice For Overcharging COVID-19 Patients
Share
Tweet
