HYC demands Govt to provide free treatment to COVID-19 patients

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 24, 2021

The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) has sought the intervention of the state government into the problems faced by COVID-19 patients as treatment in private hospitals is a costly affair. 

A memorandum consisting of six-point suggestions was submitted to the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, Health Minister Alexander Laloo Hek and Director of Health Services (MI) Dr Aman War for necessary action. 

HYC general secretary Roykupar Synrem said the state government should create more infrastructures under its management to provide necessary and free treatment to Covid-19 patients.

According to him, it is learnt that the cost of treatment for Covid-19 patients in private hospitals is a costly affair. 

He said the HYC was informed of a particular case where the treatment cost for a 13-day stay (the patient died on the 14th day)  in the general isolation ward of one private hospital  in the city cost a whopping Rs 2,49,350 which included inter alia pharmacy charges of about Rs 65,000, oxygen charges of about Rs 91,000 lab investigation charges of Rs 11,300, accommodation charges Rs 14,300 (13 days), medical attendance charges of Rs 8400 (14 days) and others/additional charges of Rs 25,200 (14 days). 

“These charges are exclusive of food bills and other expenditures. Out of the above total billed amount, the family members were required to pay an amount of Rs 2,15,550 out of their own pockets even though the patient is registered under the  MHIS,” he said. 

Synrem said these people are mere daily wage labourers and it anguishes to know that they had to beg and borrow to clear the dues towards the hospital and we are certain that this is just one of the many such cases in the state.

He also added that in the absence of any government orders/circulars or letters to this effect, the low income group of people are left at the mercy of these private hospitals regarding the cost of treatment. 

“As per our information the cost of treatment for Covid-19 ranges from Rs 1,50,000 to 2,50,000 depending on the number of days of stay and the severity of the disease,” he said.

“This will affect majority of the people in the state financially and economically and will even discourage people to seek treatment in private hospitals as a result of which innumerable precious lives will be lost,” he further stated. 

Furthermore, the HYC has also suggested the state government to issue an order rationalising hospital charges or putting a cap on prices for Covid-19 treatment by private hospitals in the state or subsidize some components of treatment.

It also asked the state government to prescribe rates as per slabs duly fixed by it for specified components for Covid-19 treatment in private hospitals including charges for bed, food & other amenities, monitoring, nursing and attendance charges, doctor’s fee, investigation, treatment as per protocols, oxygen, etc.

The state government may prescribe for a fixed rate of treatment per day for NABL and non-NABL accredited private hospitals depending on the severity of the disease of a patient.

The HYC further asserted the need for the state government to ensure that the contribution amount through MHIS card to be 70% of the total billed amount in case of Covid-19 treatment for persons requiring treatment in ICU with or without Ventilators.

“The state government should provide for a mortuary van to transport dead bodies of Covid patients especially outside Shillong City as at present, relatives of the deceased belonging to areas outside the municipal areas have to arrange for transportation facilities by themselves,” it added.