Kerala HC stays order allowing private hospitals to fix room rent for COVID patients
Justice Devan Ramachandran said by allowing the private hospitals to fix any rate for their rooms and suites, they have become empowered to go back to the earlier situation in charges, albeit, with a condition that such rates be displayed prominently.;
Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday stayed a state government order permitting private hospitals to fix room rent for COVID-19 patients.
When counsel for the state government drew the court's attention to the matter, the high court said the new order "takes away much of the laudatory objective of its first order dated May 10, 2021 because, as is clear there from, the rates fixed for the beds includes all corollary charges like nursing, boarding, doctor's fee, etc".
Justice Devan Ramachandran said by allowing the private hospitals to fix any rate for their rooms and suites, they have become empowered to go back to the earlier situation in charges, albeit, with a condition that such rates be displayed prominently.
"We are of the view that such a display would be of no avail to an ordinary person who approaches for COVID-19 treatment. At that time, he would really have no choice, his life being in peril," the court said, staying the order.
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