Healthcare In Crisis: Surprise crackdown on private healthcare

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Surprise crackdown on private healthcare

Healthcare is like politics - the vulnerable so easily fall victim. Perhaps this story involves a politician who objected to such victimization. Here's news out of India:

"In a step described by insiders as the first of its kind, the state health department has decided to crack down on legal and procedural lapses in private clinics, hospitals and nursing establishments after a spate of complaints from the people at large and patients.

Health officials recently reported a host of complaints against privately owned healthcare establishments, including premier nursing homes and hospitals, that they charge exorbitant bills, conduct unnecessary diagnostic tests and house a patient in the ICU even if their condition does not warrant it only for monetary profit.

Dr Baksi said: “I have visited some private healthcare establishments over the past few months and witnessed unlawful activities on the part of the authorities. Something had to be done to stop patients from being cheated.” But the department’s move has raised eyebrows as well. “We are surprised. Until now, nobody has dared to intervene in the activities of Grade-1 nursing homes where our political leaders receive treatment. We are yet to ascertain what prompted the department to initiate such a stern step,” a committee member said." source: The Statesman

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Statistics Collection

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