Goa health minister warns of strict action against private hospitals referring critical patients to GMC

Sattari: Criticizing the practice of private hospitals referring their critically ill patients to Goa Medical College (GMC) and Hospital at the last moment, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has warned of suspending the licenses of such hospitals.  

While announcing an inquiry against private hospitals that indulge in these actions, he said that strict action would be taken against them. 

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He pointed out the practice of a few private hospitals that treat their patients until they become critically ill and then send them to GMC at the last stage. He said that this is wrong on the part of private hospitals as it puts immense pressure on the GMC doctors and staff. 

Rane said, "Strict action will be taken against such hospitals if they send patients to the GMC after draining them financially." Stating that people should not be taken for granted by private hospitals, he said, "We have come across two hospitals which are going on doing referrals to GMC. I have the figures with me from which hospital patients have been referred. These hospitals first finish the entire DDSSY limit and then refer the patients to GMC." 

Further, he said that investigations would be conducted against those private hospitals and action would be taken against them under Clinical Establishment Act, reports the Herald Goa. Rane said, "We will conduct an inquiry on such hospitals. The Clinical Establishment Act will be strictly implemented. If I get any referral of last-stage patients from private hospitals to GMC, there will be an inquiry and strict action will be taken." 

Rane was speaking at a Mega Medical Camp at Khotode Panchayat in Sattari when he made these observations, as per a media report in the Times of India. 

Threatening to take action against private hospitals who refuse to treat COVID patients, the minister said, "Strict action under the Clinical Establishment Act will be taken against private hospitals refusing to admit Covid patients and their licenses will also be suspended." He added, "People should get good medical treatment both in government and private hospitals." 

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