July 06, Kathmandu.
It has been revealed that some hospitals that have signed an agreement with the government to provide free treatment to the infected corona have charged double the amount to the government and the patients.
After nine patients lodged a complaint, the Ministry of Health and Population found that private hospitals had paid for the treatment from both the government and the patients.
The patients had complained that the Sarvang Swasth Sadan of Kupandol, Virat Medical Teaching Hospital of Biratnagar, Nepal Medical College, Kantipur Dental College, Manmohan Memorial Hospital and Medicare Hospital had extorted money from both the government and themselves.
The ministry has asked Dr A five-member investigation committee was formed on June 12 under the leadership of Sameer Adhikari. The medical officer in the committee, Dr Nawaraj Joshi, Senior Public Health Officer Ravikant Mishra, Accounts Officer Chhavilal Pandey and Statistics Officer Shivlal Sharma are members.
Officials say they have not claimed the money from the ministry despite a complaint against Medicare Hospital. According to him, all the hospitals except Kantipur General and Dental Hospital and Sarwang Health House Kupandol have agreed to provide free treatment.
Hospitals that have contracted with the government are not allowed to charge for normal blood tests, serum urea, creatinine, sugar, CRP, haemoglobin, platelets, ESR tests, chest x-rays, treatment line and general medicine, bed rest. Similarly, four meals a day and lunch, rounds of doctors and nurses, oxygen will also be free. However, the ministry said that these hospitals have been found to have charged fees in this regard.
The government had provided Rs 2,000 per day for isolated coronary infections, Rs 3,500 for HDU patients and Rs 15,000 per day for ICU and ventilator patients.
Dr Officials said the hospital, which charges double fees, would take action. "Refund of the patient's fee, refusal to reimburse the amount if the hospital has wrong intentions and reconsideration if the hospital presents the basis for the demand for money," he said.
