Organisation threatens protest against private hospitals

SNS, SILIGURI, 12 MAY 21 : Voluntary organisations fighting for proper health services for the people in Covid times have threatened to stage protests in front of private health facilities in Siliguri, which are allegedly fleecing people in the name of Covid19 treatment.

Siliguri Welfare Organisation (SWO) has raised questions and expressed concerns over the "arbitrary overcharging" from patients by a section of private hospitals.

"We have received a number of complaints against some nursing homes about exorbitant bills—that there is no uniformity regarding the billing for Covid-19 treatment by private hospitals. A Pradhannagar-based nursing home has booked four hotels and is treating patients suffering from Covid- 19 there without taking permission from the authorities. Another nursing home at Praibahan Nagar in Matigara is charging Rs 45,000 for an ICU bed per day. We are wondering who is fixing these fee structures and on what parameters? When the second wave of coronavirus has already landed people in more crisis and when citizens are grappling with a shortage of Covid beds and medicines, some nursing homes are doing business by taking advantage of the situation. They have been charging exorbitant amounts of money from the patients. There should be effective regulations in place on treatment costs. We have already sought the intervention of the health department. Being health activists, we have been on the ground, and if necessary, we will stage sit-ins in front of those nursing homes," the secretary of the organization, Rupak De Sarkar, said today.

According to the working president of the organization, Abhijit Majumder, even ambulances were overcharging in some cases. He said there were reports of black-marketing of important Covid drugs like Remdesivir.

I have come to know that each vial of Remdesivir was sold somewhere at Rs 40,000. People are being exploited. There has been no step from the police and drugs control," Mr Majumder said.

He said they were demanding proper treatment of Covid19 patients and that the health department should requisition more private nursing homes.

"The administration has taken over 30 beds at Dr Chhang's Super Speciality  Hospital, but only government officers can be admitted there. Such a decision is not wise when people are not getting beds," Mr Majumder added.

Citing an example of overcharging, Mr De Sarkar said a Khalpara- based nursing home had charged a patient party Rs2.5 lakh for admission, while later they agreed on Rs 1.5 lakh.

The organisation is of the opinion that the deposit amount of Rs 50,000 capped by the West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission for admission of a Covid-19 patient in a nursing home should be reduced to Rs 5,000.

Covid field hospital plan

As many hospitals are running out of beds, given the surge in the day count of Covid cases, the organisation is planning a 25-bed field hospital with oxygen supply in the town. "At a time when Covid19 cases are on the rise, beds almost remain occupied, so we have decided to start a field hospital to provide medical support to Covid-19 patients, especially those who need oxygen support. People belonging to the economically backward section will be given priority. Initially, it may start with a 10-bed facility, but later it can be upgraded to 25 beds. All the beds will have oxygen cylinder support. It will be run free of cost," Mr Majumder said, adding that a team of doctors will be there. "It is expected to be functional at the end of this month. It requires some nursing staff. A volunteer force will be entrusted with the task of operating such facilities," he added.

Mental health counselling

The SWO has introduced tele-counseling to address mental health of the people undergoing mental trauma due to Covid- 19-induced situations. "Many people are panicking and suffering from mental trauma owing to the situation. It is very important to take care of the psychological well-being of the people ," Mr Majumder said.

Two counselors, Moukana Mukherjee and Baisali Roy, will attend to callers between 7 pm and 9 pm. Psychiatrist Dr Nirmal Bera is also associated with the team.