Treatment for Covid-19 patients in private hospitals in Meghalaya is a costly affair ranging to more than Rs 2 lakh.
This was revealed by the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) in a letter to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma yesterday.
“We were informed of a particular case where the treatment cost for a 13-day stay (the patient died on the 14th day) in the general isolation ward of one private hospital in the city cost a whopping Rs 2,49,350,” the HYC said.
According to the organisation, the bill included inter alia pharmacy charges of Rs 65,000, oxygen charges of about Rs 91,000, lab investigation charges of Rs 11,300, accommodation charges of Rs 14,300 (for 13 days), medical attendance charges of Rs 8400 (for 14 days) and other additional charges of Rs 25,200 (for 14 days).
“These charges are exclusive of food bills and other expenditures,” the HYC said.
It also said that out of the total billed amount, the family members of the deceased patient were required to pay an amount of Rs 2,15,550 from their own pocket even though the patient is registered under the Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS).
“These people are mere daily wage labourers and it anguishes to know that they had to beg and borrow to clear the dues towards the private hospital,” the HYC added.
Further, HYC said that it was certain that this is just one of the many such cases of exploitation of Covid patients by private hospitals in the State.
“In the absence of any government orders or circulars, the low income group are left at the mercy of these private hospitals and as per our information, the cost of treatment for Covid-19 ranges from Rs 1,50,000 to Rs 2,50,000 depending on the number of days of hospital stay and the severity of the disease,” the HYC said.
It also urged the chief minister to issue an order rationalising hospital charges or putting a cap on prices for Covid-19 treatment by private hospitals in the State or by subsidising some components of treatment.
“The State government should prescribe rates as per slabs duly fixed by it for specified components of Covid-19 treatment in private hospitals including charges for bed, food and other amenities, monitoring, nursing and attendance charges, doctor’s fee, investigation, treatment as per protocols, oxygen supply, etc,” the HYC said.
The organisation also urged the government to see that the contribution amount through MHIS card should be 70 per cent of the total hospital bill for treatment of Covid patients requiring ICU facility with or without ventilator.
Further, HYC also asked the government to provide mortuary vans for transport of dead bodies of Covid patients especially outside Shillong city as at present, relatives of the deceased belonging to areas outside Shillong have to arrange for transportation facilities by themselves.
