Pvt hospitals seek clarity on HC order
Private hospitals have sought more clarity on Tuesday’s judgment of the High Court that 20 per cent of their inpatients should be given free treatment.
Doctors admitted that hospitals, which have taken advantage of the customs duty rebate on imported medical equipment, should treat certain percentage of poor patients free of cost.
However, they felt the government should clear the ambiguity over below poverty line (BPL) cards.
“Some patients who can afford the treatment also come with BPL cards. The government should ensure that only the really poor patients get free treatment,” said Dr Aravind Gubbi, joint secretary, Private Hospitals And Nursing Homes Association. He said it would be beneficial if the government proposed certain rebates and subsidies, especially for the mid- and small-segment hospitals.
Although Dr Devi Shetty of Narayana Hrudayalaya refused to comment on the judgment, he said the government should not charge customs duty on imported medical equipment. If the hospitals are exempted from customs duty, it would prove more beneficial to poor patients, Shetty said.
Give more rebate
“In a country where government spends less than one per cent of the GDP on healthcare, people have to pay from their pockets for treatment. If they charge customs duty on imported medical equipment, is it not making money out of it?” he questioned.
Dr Nandakumar Jairam, chairman and group medical director, Columbia Asia Hospital, requested the government to provide more rebate on customs duty.
