Bulk of complains against hospitals that coughed up money during pandemic in Vadodara

Vadodara: The administration has received over 60 complaints within the last 14 days against various hospitals of the city for grabbing money from the patients for treatment of Covid-19 taking the total number of complaints above 491.

Over 37 thousand patients had received treatment in private hospitals in both waves of the pandemic. The families of several patients have filed complaints in VMC against 60 hospitals out of 160 hospitals with allegations of charging more money. The member of the committee of complaints of Covid-19 Manish Bhatt informed that they have received 60 complaints within 14 days out of which 35 are appropriate. A total 14 complaints out of them are against Sterling Hospital taking the total complaints against Sterling hospital above 35, he added. An average four complaints per day of charging more money from patients for treatment of Covid-19 comes across Vadodara municipal corporation (VMC) after the statement of former minister Yogesh Patel made on 24th October and allegations by pulmonologist Dr Sonia Dalal.

The hospitals have returned a total amount of Rs 75,10,666 to the patients’ families after pressure from VMC in 265 cases. VMC has managed the returning of an average Rs 30 thousand per patient regarding the complaints. To file the complaint, the bill is required and the complete payment for the treatment should have been made. DeshGujarat