Overcharging: Pvt hosp barred from treating patients

COIMBATORE: A private hospital in Coimbatore has been barred from treating COVID-19 patients following allegations of overcharging.

An inquiry was conducted by a joint team, comprising officials from the revenue and health departments, following numerous complaints from the public to District Collector K Rajamani. When allegations were found to be true, a notice was issued to Sri Lakshmi Medical Centre and Hospital in Thudiyalur seeking a response.

“However, the hospital failed to respond to the notice. Hence it has been disallowed from admitting COVID patients. But those already undergoing treatment have been allowed to continue treatment in the hospital,” said P Suresh, Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) of Coimbatore North division.

An order to this effect has been issued to the hospital on Monday. “My father, who was admitted in the hospital, died of COVID despite treatment last month. For his four days of admission, I was charged a hefty amount of Rs 3 lakh,” said Senthil, one of the complainants from Singanallur area.

Another complainant, Balakrishnan, said that the hospital lacked proper facilities and didn’t provide quality food to the patients undergoing treatment. Following similar complaints of overcharging against few other private hospitals, the district administration has begun a crackdown. “Notices have also been issued to four other private hospitals seeking an explanation following complaints of fleecing. Further action will be initiated against them, too, on receiving their response,” said an official of the district administration.