Odisha allows private hospitals to admit Covid-19 patients

Representative picture ( Reuters)BHUBANESWAR: With Covid-19 cases rising exponentially across the state, the government on Friday decided to allow private hospitals to admit Covid-19 patients. So far, the government was providing free treatment to virus patients in government-run or state-funded privately-run Covid hospitals.

Justifying the move, additional chief secretary (health) Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra said, “If a patient is willing to pay and get admitted in a private facility, one should have that option. Besides, private hospitals should also be part of the fight against the pandemic. Many other states have already allowed private hospitals to admit Covid patients.”

He said in the current situation the state will need more Covid hospitals and this is where private hospitals can play a role. It must be mentioned that according to a government projection, the state may add another 40,000 Covid patients by the month end to the existing 42,550. At present, the state has around 6,000 beds in Covid hospitals besides another 65,000 in various Covid care centres.

Given that there has been allegation from many states of exorbitant fees being levied by private hospitals for Covid treatment, Mohapatra said the government won’t pre-decide a fee structure. But private hospitals have to charge ‘reasonable’ fees from patients. “If the government receives complaints of private hospitals charging exorbitant fees, it will take action against them,” he said.

According to a government notification, private hospitals can’t detain any patient over non-payment of dues. The same holds true in case a patient dies. They should admit patients who are willing to pay while others can avail the free facilities. For asymptomatic patients and those with mild symptoms, private hospitals can also run paid Covid care centres, the government stated.

The notification said hospitals having minimum 30 beds can admit Covid patients. They can designate 10% of their beds for Covid treatment or can convert their entire facility into a Covid hospital.

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