K’taka HC order govt to ensure pvt hosp display COVID-19 treatment charges

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has ordered the State’s government to make sure that private hospitals are displaying the charges for the treatment of COVID-19.

The order, passed by a bench headed by Chief Justice Abhay Oka, also stated that hospitals must also be directed to display messages that COVID-19 patients referred by government hospitals to private hospitals do not have to pay any charges.

The bench was hearing a PIL stating that complaints are still being raised by patients regarding private hospitals charging them more than the prices fixed by the government.

The order also states that the government must inform the court whether any redressal system is put in place for patients being overcharged by private hospitals.

The court also ordered the government to file its response in another petition about the delay in the issuance of COVID-19 test reports before Monday, December 21.