Punjab Health& Family Welfare Minister Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu said that the Governmentwill take stringent action against the hospitals which are taking advantage ofthe COVID-19 patients by overcharging them for treatment.
While presiding over a virtual meeting with thestate-level committee of the Indian Medical Association, the Health Ministersaid, "We are receiving complaints of private hospitals fleecing thepatients by charging above the rates that have been fixed by the Government, ifany hospital does so they would not be spared".
Mr. Sidhu stated that if a hospital or a doctor exploitsany patient, the government will be forced to take very stringent actionagainst them under the Epidemic Diseases Act. The government is empowered to shut the hospital or take control overthe hospital.
He appealed to all Private hospitals not to takeadvantage of any patient's compulsion falling which Government will be leftwith no other option than to take drastic action against the defaultinghospital. Our doctors and paramedical staff (both public and private) have seta good example of serving the people during these difficult timeswholeheartedly but there are some black sheep in the system who are cheatingpeople by taking undue advantage of the situation. Such people are putting agreat dent upon the image of the entire profession. He warned such nefariouselements to stop the miss-conduct with immediate effect or else be prepared toface the strict action.
Health Minister further said that strict measures arebeing taken to curb the black marketing of medicines and oxygen in the stateand rigorous action would be taken against any person found indulging in suchmalpractices. He said that the government is also taking legal action againstthe vendors who are supplying less quantity while refilling the oxygencylinders and charging exorbitant rates.
He announced that a state-level committee would soonconduct a detailed audit of the treatments of COVID-19 patients done by privatehospitals. Anyone can file a complaint on 104 helpline number of Healthdepartment, Punjab, and action will be taken immediately.
Mr. Balbir Sidhu informed that on Tuesday the ChiefMinister Capt. Amarinder Singh would himself interact with all the Sarpanchesthrough video conferencing and will issue instructions etc. to contain thespread of COVID-19 in the villages.
The Indian Medical Association assured the HealthMinister and Principal Secretary (Health) regarding their full support to theState Government and said that if any doctor/hospital is found exploiting thepatients, IMA shall not support that erring doctor/hospital in anycircumstances.
The meeting was specially attended by Principal SecretaryHealth Sh. Hussan Lal, Director Health and Family Welfare Dr. GB Singh, IMAState President Dr. Kuldeep Singh Mann, and other members from the districtsand deliberations were held upon many important issues.