IMA Assam Concerned about 'inappropriate billing' by private hospitals in the State Amid COVID

Guwahati: Assam State Branch of Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Tuesday expressed great concern at the reported instances of inappropriate billing by few private health care establishments in the state.

Private healthcare facilities have been playing a great role in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 since the disease became a public health problem and the Government health mechanism alone cannot handle such a difficult situation.

The release said that it is "highly condemnable if any hospital is trying to exploit people taking advantage of the scarcity of health facilities and people's helplessness in such a situation. As the state is battling the second wave of COVID pandemic, IMA requests all healthcare facilities to come forward with a clear mind of service to the sufferers."

The IMA said that treatment of a highly contagious disease like COVID-19 in a private facility is really a challenge in terms of expenditure and manpower as most of these establishments have huge financial liabilities and limited human resources.

It said that at this hour of crisis, when financial position of everyone is affected, it would be highly commendable if all private facilities keep the patient billing at moderation and at just sustainable limits.

IMA requested the government to help the economically weaker people financially in getting COVID care in private facilities. It also requested all private healthcare facilities in a particular area to develop a network such that COVID patients with minor issues could be managed in smaller nursing homes, and in case of serious cases, patients can be safely transferred to a bigger hospital with more infrastructures.

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