The Telangana Government revoked its orders of giving permission to Virinchi hospital of Hyderabad, to treat the Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19.
On the 5th of August, Dr. G. Srinivas Rao, the Director Of Public Health in Telangana, issued the revoking orders.
The issued order read, “It has been observed that Virinchi Hospital, Banjara Hills is charging exorbitant rates, improper and surplus billing and not adhering to the ceiling guidelines. Several complaints have been received against the hospital and on enquiry, it was found that the complaints were found to be correct.”
Recently, due to the inappropriate rates and high charges, the Telangana Government revoked orders to treat COVID-19 patients in several hospitals.
Recently, on the 3rd of August, the same orders were revoked from Deccan Hospital.
The DPH had issued similar orders revoking permission to treat Covid patients to Deccan Hospitals, Somajiguda. The orders were based on Public Health Act-1897 and Telangana Allopathic Private Medical Care Establishments (Registration & Regulation) Act 2002.
According to sources, on the 4th of August, the Health Department of Telangana, conducted a high level meeting. During the meeting, Etela Rajender, the Health Minister of Telangana decided to revoke orders of treating COVID-19 patients from a few more private hospitals.
The Telangana Government would take eligibility of many private hospitals from treating COVID-19 patients.
Etela Rajender said the intention was not to shut down private hospitals or to reduce the number of dedicated COVID-19 beds in the State.
Mr. Rajender said, “On many occasions, we urged private hospitals to avoid commercialising the COVID-19 pandemic. However, action has to be taken on hospitals which are brazenly defying our guidelines and price ceiling.” He further added, “It is becoming clear that many private hospitals are not following our price capping. They are also sending critical patients and those who can’t pay anymore to Gandhi Hospital. Such practices should be avoided at any cost.”
A high level committee was also set up to look into the complaints received from patients and to decide upon the same.
All government health care facilities including Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres, Area and District Hospital and Tertiary care facilities in the districts are equipped to provide treatment to Covid-19 positive patients.
With this number of positive cases in the State increased to 70,958, 19,568 are active cases, 50,184 are recovered/discharged cases and 576 deceased.
Stay tuned for further updates.
