Hospitals should display the cost of treatment
Most of us depend on private hospitals and nursing homes for medical treatment. One of the reasons for this situation is the inadequacy of government hospitals both in terms of number and quality. A large number of private hospitals have come up to fill this gap. Though a few of them have been providing excellent facilities for treatment with latest equipments and reputed doctors on their role, many others are only money-making commercial ventures. It is common knowledge that they exploit the patients by misleading them on the treatment required and its cost taking advantage of their ignorance of medical procedures and helplessness.
THE KARNATAKA PRIVATE MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENTS ACT was enacted in the year 2007 with a view to bring private hospitals and nursing homes under the regulatory framework. Many provisions of this Act are designed to protect the interest of the patients. Clause No. 10 of this Act (which is quoted below) was incorporated to bring in transparency and protect patients from unfair billing.
Clause 10 of KPME Act 2007
Schedule of charges to be notified:- (1) Every Private Medical Establishment shall for the information of the patients and general public make available the schedule of charges payable for different medical treatment and other services in the form of brochures or booklets and shall also display such schedule of charges on the notice board of the private Medical Establishment. A copy of such brochure or booklet shall be sent to the Registration Authority.(2) No Private Medical Establishment shall collect from the patient or his relatives or attendants any amount in excess of the charges printed in the brochure or booklet, and without issuing proper receipt for the amount charged and collected.
The KPME Act received the assent of the Governor and was gazetted on 13th August, 2007. But most of the hospitals do not comply with this rule even today.
In a medical emergency when a patient is admitted to a hospital, neither the patient nor his kin have any idea of the cost of the treatment and sometimes they find it difficult to pay when the bill is presented. The displaying of the charges for various procedures and treatment on the Notice Board not only brings in transparency but also allows the patients the option of going to another hospital where the cost is affordable.
What is the purpose of enacting laws if they are not enforced?
Hence the Karnataka Government should ensure that all the hospitals and Nursing Homes in Karnataka comply with the provisions of the above mentioned Act to save the patients from unfair treatment by the hospital managements.
N.Narayanan
