Bengaluru(Karnataka): Amid concerns over community transmission in the state, Yediyurappa administration is clamping down on private hospitals who overcharge COVID-19 patients.
According to reports, IPS Officer D.Roopa and her team have been tasked with the responsibilty of ensuring that government rates are followed by the hospitals.
Taking to Twitter, IPS officer claimed that her team carried out surprise visits to private COVID designated facilities and found discrepancies in rates. She further said that hospitals will refund the excess amount charged.
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While speaking to ETV Bharat, Roopa Said, "We have already received many complaints regarding the excess bills from the private hospitals for treatment. Our team is involved in carrying out an investigation regarding the matter. If any hospitals are to be found violating this, our team will be file a criminal case against them."
Officer Roopa also revealed that bank a/c numbers of 22 such patients have been taken by the nodal officer and a total of Rs. 24 lakhs will be remitted back by the hospitals which overcharged them.
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D Roopa was given the charge, along with IAS officer Harsh Gupta, of enforcing state government rates for COVID-19 treatment when patients are referred by government authorities.
It may be recalled that Chief Secretary Vijaya Bhaskar had formed seven teams, each led by one IPS and one IAS officer, to reign in private hospitals after allegations of overcharging patients came to light.
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The team, which D Roopa was a part of, was overseeing three hospitals in West Bengaluru— BGS Global Institute of Medical Science and Hospital in Kengeri, Rajarajeshwari Hospital on Mysore Road and SSNMC Super Speciality Hospital in Rajarajeshwari Nagar.
These teams have two other government officials working in Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) and one contractual Health Department staff member.
The state government had also deputed seven teams of two senior officers each to ensure that 50 per cent private hospital beds are made available for COVID-19 patients, amid complaints of treatment denials.
