CSMC orders private doctors to display treatment costs in hospitals, clinic

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

If the sources are to be believed the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) has instructed all the private hospitals to display the charges of services and treatment in their establishments for the convenience of the patients and their relatives. It is mandatory to do so under the Bombay Nursing Homes Act, stated the order.

It is learnt that the CSMC health officials paid a surprise visit to the hospitals in Samarthnagar, Osmanpura and Central Bus Stand area and found the display of charges missing in many of them. It may be noted that the relatives of the patients and the hospital staff or management often enter into arguments or conflicts during the bill payments. The relatives would complaint that the hospitals are collecting exorbitant charges from them.

A majority of the private hospitals in the district are situated in the urban area. There is a registration of 550 private nursing homes in the city area and 333 in the rural parts of the district.

During a surprise visit to five hospitals, the CSMC health officials found the display of charges in three hospitals. Meanwhile, one hospital displayed the details in a small font size that could be read only after coming closer to it.

The CSMC municipal officer of health (MoH) Dr Paras Mandlecha said, “It is mandatory to display the charges of treatment and services provided in the hospital. It should be seen easily by visitors without any hassles. We have informed all the hospitals in the city. We will be serving a reminder in this regard soon.”