Excessive Fees Charged By Private Hospitals From COVID19 Patients: Andhra Pradesh High Court Orders Payment Be Made Through Nodal Officers To Keep A Check

The direction was made by a Division Bench of Justices C. Praveen Kumar and Lalitha Kanneganti while hearing a batch of petitions pertaining to the Covid-19 situation in Andhra Pradesh.

During the hearing, one of the Petitioners— All India Lawyers Union suggested that in order to curb the menace of excessive treatment bills, instead of paying the money directly at the counter of the Hospital, the same can be routed through the Nodal Officer/Help Desk Manager, so that in case of excess billings, the same can be checked at that stage itself.

"This suggestion, in our view, will definitely check collection of excess money or excess billing contrary to Government guidelines," the Bench said at the outset.

A further suggestion was made to the Bench that a proper register be maintained at the counter and the patient/attendant of the patient be made to sign such register.

Accordingly, the Court has directed the authorities concerned to look into this matter and work out modalities forthwith to see that payments made at the hospitals are either routed through Nodal officer or through Help Desk Manger under a proper acknowledgement from the patient/attendant of the patient or from the person making the payment.

Availability of Hospital Beds

The High Court was informed that the Andhra Pradesh Government has launched a Covid Dashboard website that indicates the number of beds available. It was also told that a methodology is being worked out for establishing a centre in every District and also at the Mandal level, whereby one can get information about the availability of the beds in all the hospitals in the State.

In addition to this, the Court has asked the authorities concerned to forthwith publish the telephone numbers of each of the hospital by which one can come into contact with Nodal Officers or the Help Desk Managers.

Lockdown implementation

The Court was informed that huge gathering take place outside the shops, more particularly at liquor shops, in the relaxed hours during Lockdown.

To avoid such congregations and to enforce social distancing norms, the Bench has directed the authorities concerned to post Police Constables outside such shops where normally a huge gathering is seen.

"The said Constable can be asked to take steps for implementation of the Covid Protocols mainly wearing of masks and maintaining social distance," the Court said.

It did not find mention in making the shop owners accountable for congregations outside the shops.

"We feel that it may be difficult for the shop owners to see that covid guidelines are followed by the persons gathered at his shop, as every one would be anxious to purchase their things at the earliest point of time," it observed.

Covid Care Centres

The Court was informed that most of the Covid-care centres have been established at the outskirts, making them inaccessible due to distance.

The Court has directed the State to consider establishing covid care centres within the town area, if permissible, so that the same will be accessible to everyone and one can avoid difficulty in travelling. It has also asked the State to see that transport facilities are available for transporting covid patients to the nearest covid hospitals in times of need.

The matter is now listed for hearing on May 27.

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