"Of Great Concern": Madras High Court Seeks State Government Response On Covid Treatment Rates At Pvt Nursing Homes, Polyclinics, Hospitals

The petition came up before a bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthil Ramamoorthy on Thursday, after which the Court issued notice and directed copies of the petition to be forwarded to the Advocate-General.

"It is a subject of great concern, in various states, whether directly or through another body, there are caps which are put."

Directing the State to respond, the Court instructed that the matter be posted on Monday.

The Madras High Court has expressed concern about rates of Covid medication dispensed at private healthcare institutions previously as well. When the Court last took up batch of petitions relating to Covid, the Chief Justice-led Bench had expressed concern over overcharging and directed the State to impose a 'check on prices charged', since 'massive bills' generated was one of the difficulties faced by citizens.

"While drug is directly reached to private hospitals, there must be check on prices charged since one of the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens is the massive bills generated by private healthcare institutions, the Court has said.

Relying on newspaper reports, the petitioner has stressed the need for a check on rates charged in light of an "exigent" requirement for beds and other facilities during the surge.

"there has been exigent need of lot of Beds and other medical facilities till Covid -19 Pandemic viral infection vanishes in the state at this juncture on the basis of News Paper Reports published in The Hindu daily dated 01/05/2021, The Indian Express daily dated 07/05/2021 and The Times of India dated 09/05/2021," it was prayed.

During the hearing Advocate R Krishnamurthy referred the recent cap on prices charged on Covid treatment in private hospitals brought in by the Kerala Government.

Upon this observation, the Chief Justice also pointed to measures taken by many states to cap pricing in private hospitals, and also the many incidents of 'exorbitant' pricing being reported.

The matter is expected to be taken up further on Monday.

CASE: DI Nathan v. Chief Secretary

COUNSEL FOR PETITIONER: Advocate R. Krishnamurthy

COUNSEL FOR RESPONDENTS: Advocate General R. Shanmughasundaram, Special Government Pleader A. Srijayanthi

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