The Tagore hospital had erroneously ‘overcharged’ Rs.150 from over 90 patients for RT-PCR Covid test, which after Dc’s intervention were being refunded to them. In addition, the hospital management has also assured the district administration to strictly adhere to the guidelines fixed by the state government with regard to fee charging for various services.
Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori had ordered a probe over a complaint filed by a citizen that Tagore Hospital had charged Rs 600 for Covid-19 tests however the state government has fixed Rs. 450 for the same. After receiving the complaint, the DC had marked an inquiry to Public Grievance Officer Randeep Singh Gill, who summoned the management for further probe.
Mr. Thori said that during investigation, it surfaced that the hospital erroneously overcharged Rs. 150 from patients as sample collection charges, which it had assured to refund to all patients who underwent RT-PCR tests after April 20, 2021. The DC also added that during this period over 90 patients paid Rs. 600 for the test, who would get a refund of the overcharged amount. The administration has also asked the hospital management to display government rates for the RT-PCR tests and other Covid-19 related services so that people were aware about the government rates.
In another case, the district administration has written to police authority for legal action against a private lab namely Ms. Atulya labs, which during administration's inquiry was prima facie found to be overcharging for RT-PCR tests. The inquiry against the lab was conducted by the PGO Mr. Randeep Singh Gill, who in his preliminary report stated that the lab was overcharging for Covid-19 tests against the fixed charges of Rs. 450 by the state government. The PGO added that during inspection some other discrepancies were noted in the lab including no separate room for the vaccination and lack of bio-medical waste disposal mechanism.
Deputy Commissioner Ghansyam Thori reiterated his commitment to ensuring Covid-19 related services at economical prices as fixed by the state government while categorically mentioning that any kind of complaint for overcharging and malpractices would be dealt with a heavy hand.