Three Telangana IAS officers watch over private hospitals charging excess for COVID treatment

Hyderabad: Waking up to complaints of fleecing, the Telangana government on Wednesday constituted a task force to oversee the working of private hospitals treating the COVID 19 patients.

Three IAS officers including Rahul Bojja, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and D Divya will be heading the task force. The move comes after the government received several complaints that private hospitals are not adhering to the rate list and fleecing COVID patients.

Earlier the government had ordered private hospitals to display the rate cards at prominent places in their premises. Further, private hospitals were asked to explain to the patients or relatives about charges for various services.

A GO issued by the government mentioned that complaints are being received from time to time about non-adherence to the maximum rates chargeable as per the previous orders, by the private hospitals. Complaints are also received about non-adherence to COVID 19 treatment and safety protocols, etc.

“The matter has been examined by the government in light of the provisions of applicable laws including the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897. After careful consideration, it is decided to constitute a task force at the state level to oversee the working of hospitals in the treatment of COVID 19,” the order stated.

The government also laid down the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the task force. “The task force shall verify that the maximum rates stipulated by the government are being adhered to by the private hospitals. COVID 19 treatment and safety protocols are being adhered to by the private hospitals,” the order said.

Further, the task force shall submit their report to the Chief Secretary from time to time. Technical assistance to the task force shall be provided by Health, Medical, and Family Welfare Department.