Punjab caps Covid treatment for private hospitals

Chandigarh: To check profiteering by private hospitals during the current pandemic, the Captain Amarinder Singh led Punjab Government has fixed their Covid treatment rates.

The decision was announced on Thursday after a Covid review Video Conference (VC) meeting chaired by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.

For Moderate Sickness requiring Isolation Beds, including supportive care and oxygen, the rates per day of admission are fixed at: Rs 10,000 for all Private Medical Colleges/NABH Private Hospitals with teaching programme from NBE, Rs 9000 for NABH accredited Hospitals (Including Private Medical Colleges without PG/DNB Course) and Rs 8000 for Non- NABH accredited Hospitals.

The rates across these categories of hospitals for Severe Sickness (ICU without need for ventilator) have been capped, respectively, at Rs 15000, Rs 14000 and Rs 13000, while for Very Severe or Critical patients, these are fixed at Rs 18000, Rs 16500 and Rs 15000 respectively.

All these rates are inclusive of PPE cost, according to an official spokesperson.

The move comes amid several complaints received by the state government of private hospitals charging exorbitantly for Covid treatment.

The Chief Minister, who had personally also received complaints on this count, had asked the Dr Talwar committee and the state health and family welfare department to look into the matter and work out the rates after discussions with private hospitals.