Mumbai: In a bid to address complaints about exorbitant treatment bills, all private hospitals in Solapur have been instructed to adhere to mandated treatment and service rates within their premises. Failure to comply with this directive, as outlined in a circular issued by the District Surgeon’s Office, could result in the revocation of the hospital’s license.
Patients and their families in Solapur often voice concerns over high treatment costs, prompting the need for measures to ensure transparency and fair pricing. To tackle this issue, private hospitals are now required by law to prominently display information about the Charter of Patient Rights on their facades.
Regrettably, many hospitals in the district have neglected to exhibit the Charter of Patient Rights, violating the legal obligation. Manish, Secretary of the Maharashtra Human Rights Protection and Awareness Institute, expressed dissatisfaction with this noncompliance.
The Charter of Patient Rights encompasses various entitlements, including the right to information regarding the nature of the illness, details of tests, treatment results, expected costs, test reports, and itemized bills. To safeguard patients’ rights and facilitate informed decision-making, hospitals must provide clear and comprehensive information about the treatment charges and associated services.
Concerned about the prevailing noncompliance, individuals who encounter difficulties accessing treatment tariffs or face administrative obstacles when switching hospitals are urged to report such incidents to the District Surgeon’s Office, upazila hospital, or rural hospital.
This initiative holds significant importance in raising awareness of patients’ rights. Should private hospitals fail to comply with the prescribed guidelines, Manish Deshpande, Secretary of the Maharashtra Human Rights Protection and Awareness, has vowed to mobilize a robust protest to cancel the hospital’s license.
The decision to enforce treatment fee regulations follows complaints regarding noncompliance with a previous order issued by the central government. On May 12, Ravindra Deshpande lodged a complaint with Hundredkar, leading to subsequent orders from the administration to ensure the provision of necessary information.
The implementation of these measures aims to restore transparency, accountability, and fairness in private healthcare services within Solapur. By emphasizing patient rights and demanding adherence to treatment fee regulations, authorities seek to protect the well-being and financial interests of patients and their families.
India should have a centralized Rate card for medical treatment and medicines. Our government needs to provide better facilities and in accordance to the tax we pay.