‘Hospitals denying beds to Covid +ve will face action’

Kejri: Hospital have to admit, treat patients

Following a spate of complaints that private hospitals in Delhi are either overcharging or refusing to admit Covid-19 patients, the Delhi government on Saturday issued a stern warning that strict action would be taken against erring hospitals. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said that no hospital can deny admission to any suspected patient of coronavirus and has to start treating them immediately. Within hours of cautioning hospitals the Delhi government issued an order to the same effect. It ordered all dedicated Covid hospitals under its authority to not deny admission to any person showing moderate or severe symptoms of coronavirus on the pretext of absence of a test report.

“There are some private hospitals which are resorting to such means. First they say they don’t have a bed and when patients insist, they demand a huge amount. Isn't this blackmarketing of beds?” said Mr Kejriwal.

Issuing a warning to private hospitals, Mr Kejriwal said, "Most of the private hospitals in Delhi

There are some private hospitals which are resorting to such means. First they say they don’t have a bed and when patients insist, they demand a huge amount. Isn't this blackmarketing of beds?

— Arvind Kejriwal

are good but some of them are demanding money for beds which is nothing but blackmarketing. We will take strong action against such hospitals and they can not refuse patients. Some time will be needed to break the mafia who are indulging in it. These few hospitals have political approach but they should not be under the illusion that their political masters can save them."