Authorities assure action
Srinagar : Amid Covid-19 pandemic when government hospitals have curtailed patient services to prevent spread of the fatal virus, a Diagnostic Centre goes by the name of ‘Medicare, at Kak Saria in Karan Nagar area of Srinagar city is ‘looting’ patients for different tests.
For a biopsy and other tests the Medicare Centre is overcharging as much as the doctors and its employees wish.
This week a patient took his sample for biopsy tests to the lab and the doctors and employees charged Rs 5000 from him. On the second day, the patient’s attend got a call from one of the employees and asked to deposit additional Rs ten thousand for the tests.
“It was a shock for us as the rates charged for the same tests in rest of the diagnostic centers ranges between Rs 800 to 1200. When we asked Medicare employees and one of the doctors present there about the rates, they gave different alibis,” said the attendant.
A number of patients and their attendants complained of same exorbitant rates being charged by the ‘Medicare’ for different tests.
“They charge at will and loot gullible patients in the times of pandemic. There is complete anarchy, no accountability while Directorate of Health Service as usual is in deep slumber. Directorate health does not bother to check the rates or keep an eye on them. There is no accountability on this diagnostic center,” Zahoor Ahmad, an attendant KNT
He said that patients and attendants are always in distress during the treatment time and this Centre takes disadvantage of the situation by overcharging as much as it can.
President Private Diagnostic Centres Association, JK, Umar Iqbal Dhar said that the Association has fixed rates as per the expert opinions for patient care and if any centre overcharges, authorities concerned should take action.
Director Health Services Kashmir Dr Sameer Matoo said he will ask the concerned to look into the matter.
Chief medical officer Srinagar Dr Jahangir Bakshi said that he will take necessary action.
District Health Officer Srinagar, Dr Anjum told Kashmir News Trust that Directorate will start an inquiry against the Medicare Diagnostic Centre if the patient will file a written complaint at her office. (KNT)
