Private Hospitals Back Out From Giving Covid Treatment in Telangana

Of the 98 Private Hospitald designatedto treat Covid-19 patients in the state, only 56 in Greater Hyderabad limits are offering the services. None of the private hospitals in the districts has begun treating the positive cases. This has put pressure on patients jostling for the beds in various private hospitals.

Shortage of nurses and paramedical staff and confusion over package rates are said to be the reasons for the private hospitals backing out from offering Covid-19 treatment after showing enthusiasm initially. It may be recalled a few private hospitals had lined up before the government and ICMR seeking permission to treat positive cases. The hospitals are also not willing to offer treatment as the government has not included Covid-19 under the Aarogyasri scheme. “The insurance companies want us to provide treatment at a rate fixed by the government which is not viable for us,” a private hospital owner said. Apparently, the Insurance and Development Authority in a recent order insisted that all network hospitals must provide cashless treatment to Covid-19 patients after it received complaints of some hospitals demanding cash payments.

Dr Ashok Reddy, president of Telangana Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (THNHA), said the problem is also accentuated by the doctors at private hospitals not getting insurance coverage. “We have been seeking insurance coverage for private hospitals’ doctors, at least for those who attend Covid-19 wards, as not many healthcare staff are willing to work there. But, there has been no response from the state or central governments,” he said.TIO