TS Govt to regulate corporate hospitals

Hyderabad: Health Minister Dr. K. Lakshma Reddy said that the State Government was designing a mechanism to regulate the functioning of corporate hospitals in Telangana State, especially to deal with the complaints of exorbitant billing by conducting avoidable surgeries.

Replying to a question raised by Congress MLAs A. T. Ram Mohan Reddy and others during Question Hour in State Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, the Health Minister denied that the several private/corporate hospitals in the State, especially in Hyderabad, are forcing cardiac patients go for stents even for minor heart complaints.

He said that the monitoring of stent prices and quality was done by the Central Government. He said that the Drugs Control Authority was making a policy on stents and the State Government would strictly implement the policy. He said that the government was implementing the Clinical Establishment Act.

The minister said that the government was trying to introduce a mechanism to regulate the corporte hospitals. He said government wants to remove the unnecessary burden on the people due to avoidable surgeries. He assured of stern action against hospitals and doctors if they conduct bogus surgeries.

He said that the license of doctors could be cancelled if they conduct



avoidable surgeries. He also informed the House that steps were being taken to create awareness on preventing heart diseases.

While assuring that the government would improve facilities in existing hospitals, he informed that four multi-specialty hospitals were being established in the State.

Earlier, Congress MLA A. Sampath Kumar alleged that several private hospitals were charging exorbitant amounts from the patients for stents and the government has no mechanism to check them.

Another legislator, G. Chinna Reddy asked the State Government to give preference to stent manufacturers in the Pharma Hub. He also suggested started a helpline for heart patients to give them proper guidance.

Stating there was not adequate number of ventilators in NIMS, Congress MLA T. Jeevan Reddy demanded that the government improve the infrastructure in public hospitals.

He said the Health Minister should conduct inspections on regular basis. He also demanded action against hospitals which are forcing patients to undergo tests like angiography or angioplasty even for small complaints.

TRS MLA V. Srinivas Goud said that the State Government should ensure that the doctors and staff perform their duties properly.