Coimbatore: License Of Private Hospital Cancelled For Charging Exorbitant Fees From Covid-19 Patients

Chennai: Responding to the compaints of charging exorbitant amount of fees from Coronavirus patients, an investigation team went to Muthus Hospital in Coimbatore for the inspection to conduct an inquiry. However, it is being said that the hospital management did not properly co-ordination with the officials, refusing to show the documents. 

In a strict action, the Coimbatore district administration cancelled the license of Muthus Hospital for the treatment of Corona infection on the charges of collecting high amount of fees from the patients.

Coimbatore district in Tamil Nadu is standing at first position to record high number of new cases every day, resulting in overflow of patients. Complaints have been registered stating that the private hospitals are charging extra amount from the patient for their personal benefit. There were a series of complaints of overcharging of four hospitals in Coimbatore.

Looking at these things, the District Administration have fixed the cost of Corona treatment for private hospitals and issued orders. District Collector Nagarajan had also warned of action against high charging hospitals.

Shah Jahan of Saravanampatti area of Coimbatore developed corona symptoms and was admitted to Muthus Hospital on April 24. Jahan, who was undergoing treatment there, succumbed to the virus in hospital on May 20. Allegedly, the hospital management has demanded a fee of Rs 16 lakh from his son Nadeem.

But when Nadeem asked the insured private insurance company, it was reported that only Rs 15 lakh had been requested by the doctor on the side. When the receipts were purchased, the fee was 11.55 lakhs. Nadeem, therefore, complained to the district administration about the attempt to commit fraud by fixing an additional amount. District Collector Nagarajan had ordered a committee to conduct an inquiry on the basis of these complaints.

The authorities went to Muthus Hospital for questioning. But the hospital management is said to have no well co-operation with the investigation team. The authorities subsequently cancelled the permission granted for corona treatment to Saravanampatti Muthus Hospital.

The joint director of district health department issued the order to the hospital. The order also stated that patients currently being treated for corona in the hospital should be treated appropriately and discharged and no new one should be treated for corona infection until the investigation is over. Officials are continuing to investigate in other hospitals after complaints were received against 4 hospitals in Coimbatore. Officials said strict action would also be taken against other hospitals that collected surcharges.