Covid-19 treatment rates at private hospitals under radar in AP

Covid-19 treatment rates at corporate hospitals and nursing homes are continuously being monitored by an official rank of joint collector and district health and medical officers.

After receiving complaints on the fee structure, Joint collector (welfare) L Siva Shankar instructed the health wing to inspect a number of corporate hospitals in Vijayawada.

As per a recent media report in Times of India, some hospitals in Vijayawada, Guntur, Rajahmundry, Eluru and Visakhapatnam are charging high fees and bed charges for Covid-19 treatment compare to other hospitals.

The District medical and health officer, Dr Suhasini, and deputy DM&HOs have began inspections at hospitals to make sure that the government's established rates for various services are displayed.

Also Read: Private Hospitals To Hike Treatment Package Rates By 5-10 Percent: Report

The health wing is also making sure that patients holding YSR Aarogyasri cards are being allocated beds. Further, patient complaints will be received by a dedicated line operating 24x7. In the meantime, drug authorities are monitoring Remdesivir injections, as well as their black market distribution.

Commenting on the same, Shiva Shankar told TOI, "Remdesivir vials are being directly supplied to hospitals and there is no shortage. Patients can complain to us if any hospital demands fees higher than the prescribed rates".

The private testing laboratories for Covid-19 could be seen at Tikkle Road, Nakkala Road and Suryaraopet to see serpentine queues. Labs that are found conducting Covid-19 tests are being penalized.