'People Are Having To Mortgage Gold To Pay Bills': Telangana High Court Pulls Up State For Failing To Cap Private Hospital Prices For Treatment Of Covid-19

"People are having to mortgage gold to pay bills," Chief Justice Hima Kohli remarked. The Bench also comprised of Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy.

On May 18, the High Court had directed the State Government to issue a fresh Government Order, revising the charges for routine ward, oxygen beds, ICU beds, ventilator beds, ambulance charges etc., in private hospitals/ Nursing Homes.

Today, it was informed that no decision has been taken thereof.

"Learned AG you are being quite defiant. We did not give you an option, we directed you. You have not even capped prices of basic things like PPE Kits. Are you waiting for the pandemic to be over to declare the prices?" the Bench furiously asked.

The Advocate General submitted that as an immediate measure against excess billing, action is being taken against errant hospitals by cancelling their permission to treat COVID-19 patients.

"If at such a time you are cancelling their licenses, where are the patients supposed to go? Is it wise to cancel licenses instead of ramping up the strength of hospitals?" Justice Kohli asked.

She stated that the Hospitals must rather be told to refund the excessive fees or else their license will be cancelled.

"Cancellation will not be of satisfaction those whose money is blocked with these hospitals. You could have directed refund at the ultimatum of cancellation. Now, hospitals will not even bother to entertain the patients' request because the worse has already happened."

The Court has asked the Director of Public Health and Family Welfare, Government of Telangana, to remain present before the Court tomorrow, virtually and address it on the above issue. He will also address the Court on other issues that remain unanswered in the State's affidavit. These issues include:

• Setting up of community kitchens for providing free meals to the needy, particularly during the lockdown period;
• Strategy for walk-in vaccination;
• Compensation for school teachers and other Government staff who were tasked with conducting the elections in the State recently and are suffering/ have succumbed to COVID-19 infection;
• Strategy for dealing with the third wave of COVID-19.