Can't regulate treatment cost, says SC; instructs Health ministry to convene meeting

New Delhi: The apex court on Tuesday refused to regulate and interfere with the state decision on COVID-19 treatment costs based on a petition demanding nation-wide cost-related regulation for the treatment of COVID-19 patients at private/corporate hospitals

The court took note of the submissions of the counsel for the Union that it is not possible to determine/lay down the uniform cost structure, for treatment of patients suffering from COVID-19 throughout the country, inasmuch as the cost structure varies from State to State and Union Territory to Union Territory, depending upon the conditions and the availability of medical facilities.

" There is unanimity among all that the cost of treatment for COVID-19 is not and cannot be the same in all the States/Union Territories," it observed 

" We, therefore, consider it inequitous to impose a ceiling on the charges for treatment of COVID-19," the bench headed by Chief Justice of India Sharad Arvind Bobde noted 

 The observations came after a petition was filed by one Sachin Jain urging Supreme Court to give directions to the private hospitals regarding COVID treatment. The petitioner alleged that the private/corporate hospitals are commercially exploiting the patients suffering from COVID-19 by charging exorbitant charges. As such, it is submitted that the patients, who cannot afford such huge costs, are deprived of proper treatment.