The Hyderabad District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has asked a private hospital in the city to refund Rs 2 lakh taken two years ago from a Covid patient. The commission also ordered the hospital management to pay the patient Rs 10,000 in litigation costs.
Abid Hussain, a 52-year-old trader from Doodhbowli, was charged Rs 5.4 lakh by a private hospital located in Malakpet. Two years ago, he was admitted for ten days for Covid-19 treatment. Hussain was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after being diagnosed with double pneumonia and CO-RADS 5, a high level of pulmonary infection.
Hussain filed a complaint with the consumer body about the excessive bills, and the commission ordered the hospital to pay Rs two lakh to the patient as compensation.
Hussain said in the complaint that the hospital charged huge fees for treatment and services, which amounted to unfair trade practices. During the pandemic, it charged excessively in violation of government directives that set a ceiling on the rates chargeable by private hospitals for Covid-19-related investigation tests and treatment. He also claimed that the private hospital overcharges for covid treatments.
While analyzing the petition, the consumer commission sent a notice to the hospital’s management, requesting an explanation. They claimed that the patient’s condition was critical and that he had other diseases in addition to Covid infection. According to the hospital, they provided treatment with “appropriate antibiotics, antivirals, antiplatelets, anticoagulants, MVIs, steroids, and other supportive drugs.”
The commission ruled in favor of the patient, rejecting the hospital’s justification. It was determined that because the hospital exceeded the ceiling amount set on pathological lab tests, room rents, and other expenses, an amount of Rs 2 lakh must be compensated, along with Rs 10,000 for litigation costs incurred by the patient.
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