According to sources, several private hospitals have been charging exorbitant amounts from patients suffering from the coronavirus. Due to the complaints made by many individuals, the civic body of Navi Mumbai, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has directed hospitals to send their medical bills 48 hours before discharging the patient.
Moreover, the NMMC has re-activated the COVID-19 bill complaint centre from April in view of the surge in coronavirus cases amidst the second wave of COVID-19. In addition, the civic body has set up a Covid Bill Grievance Redressal Cell to help with complaints regarding bills levied by patients who are being treated in private hospitals.
As per the notification issued by the Government of Maharashtra on May 21, 2020, the Municipal Commissioner had directed all the hospitals, nursing homes and dispensaries in the municipal area on August 18, 2020, to charge the bills for the treatment of patients by private hospitals. However, patients and their relatives had lodged complaints with the Municipal Corporation alleging that some hospitals had violated the order and the ruling. Show cause notices were also issued to some hospitals in this regard.
On the other hand, the NMMC has issued a global tender for the procurement of coronavirus vaccines. With this, the municipality now aims to inoculate 25,000 citizens every day. To achieve the goal of vaccination, the civic body has decided to set up vaccination centres in all 111 wards.
This development comes amid the reports of the third wave of COVID-19 in the next few months. According to sources, the corporation plans to vaccinate people fast as it will help in reducing the impact of the third wave. Besides, NMMC is reportedly expecting more vaccines from the government soon.
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