6 more hosps lose permit for Covid care

The govt has received 166 complaints against 105 hospitals in the state

Permission for treating Covid-19 patients was revoked for six more private hospitals on Monday. A total of 16 hospitals have faced action by the government so far for excess and irrelevant charges, mismanagement and lack of proper attention in patient care.

The six hospitals whose permissions were revoked were: Padmaja Hospital at Medchal, Life Line Medicure Hospital at Alwal, Max Care Hospital at Hanamkonda in Warangal Urban, TX Hospital at Uppal, Lalitha Hospital at Warangal Urban and Sri Sai Ram Hospital at Sangareddy.

The government has received 166 complaints against 105 hospitals in the state. The government has issued 105 showcause notices and the grievances of the patients have been sent to them.

Many of them have complained that compared to the billing charges listed out by the government, the private hospitals charged more. They also complained about the lack of care and that there was no one to give them updates on the status of the patient. The relatives of patients in a critical condition have alleged that they were clueless till the last minute. They were not given information on the condition of the patient, the relatives alleged in their complaints.

The action has been initiated by the office of the Director of Public Health.

Reacting to the government action, Telangana Hospital and Nursing Homes Association president Dr Kishan Rao said, “The billing criteria is a challenge as the government has not taken into account the procurement price. When the price of oxygen cylinder and medicines is four to five times more than the normal cost, how is the hospital to treat the patient? We are asking the public health department to revise the rates. It is not possible to work at the rates offered by the government.”

Issues regarding to patient care as well as updating their relatives on the medical status has been a challenge not only in private hospitals but also in government establishments.

A senior pulmonologist at a private hospital on condition of anonymity said, “Covid-19 is a very unpredictable disease. We find that the patient is improving and responding well and after a few hours there is a sudden collapse. People have been fine for three days and turned critical in the next five days and died. It is very difficult for us to give a proper picture to the relatives even if we want to.”

● MANY OF them have complained that compared to the billing charges listed out by the government, the private hospitals charged more.

● THEY ALSO complained about the lack of care and that there was no one to give them updates on the status of the patient.