Health Ministry calls for complaints, action against over-charging health organisations

KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) has urged the service-seekers to register complaints if any health organisation treating COVID-19 patients was found to be charging exorbitant fees.

Joint-Spokesperson at the MoHP Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari said that the Ministry appealed with the public to lodge such complaints at the MoHP, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and Ministry of Social Development in the provinces, the District Administration Office and local units.

According to Dr Adhikari, the appeal was issued following the widespread grievances received from the public that many of the healthcare facilities were charging the COVID-19 patients exceedingly beyond standard fees determined by the government.

A normal COVID-19 patient may not pay more than Rs 3,500 per day while those with mild symptoms should not pay exceeding Rs 7,000 per day. Likewise, critically ill COVID-19 patients should pay up to Rs 15,000 a day.

The designated private hospitals entering an agreement with the public healthcare centres for treatment of COVID-19 patients have been providing treatment for free of cost.

Those health facilities found to have fleecing extra money from the patients other than the fixed fees shall be brought to book, warned the MoHP.