Patients can complain to ACC for abnormal charge by hospitals

The High Court on Monday observed that if the private hospitals or clinics impose abnormal charge for the treatment or incentive care unit (ICU) service then a patient could complain to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) if he/she wants.The bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim passed the observation and some other directions after holding hearing on five separate writ petitions filed in this regard.The court directed the Ministry of Health and Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to fix up some separate laboratories for the cancer and kidney dialysis patients so that they can easily test Covid-19 and get other treatment.It also directed the two government bodies to conduct an inquiry into the allegations of refusal to give treatment by the hospitals and clinics which were mentioned in the writ petitions and asked to submit a report in the court by July 21. The court also asked the bodies to open an online system for complaining over refusal  to give treatment to any patient. It also asked the drug administration to fix up the maximum retail price (MRP) of the oxygen cylinder within 10 working days, said Barrister Aneeq R Haqaue, concerned lawyer of the petition.Meanwhile, health secretary and director general of the DGHS submitted a report in the court complying with its earlier order passed on June 15 this year.In the report the two government officials claimed that they did not receive any complain from any patient about being refused of treatment by any hospital.Following the writ petitions, the HC on June 15 sought a report from the health secretary and the director general of DGHS over if all the government and private hospitals and clinics were following the guidelines to give treatment equally to the Covid-19 and non-Covid patients.And what steps have been taken against those hospitals and clinics for their failure of following the guidelines should be mentioned in the report. After the submission of the report by health secretary and DGHS director general on June 30, the court fixed July 06 for further hearing.The writ petitions were filed by Barrister Mahfuzur Rahman Milon, Advocate Manzill Murshid, Advocate Yadia Zaman, Barrister Aneeq R Haqaue, Advocate AM Jamiul Hoque, Advocate Md Nazmul Huda, Advocate Md Mehdi Hassan and Barrister AKM Ehsanur Rahman recently. 

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