COVID-19: BMC to conduct surprise visits to private nursing homes

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has formed a team of five people who will conduct surprise visits to private nursing homes to make sure ensure that patients have not been overcharged by private hospitals for the treatment of COVID-19. 

The civic body has taken the decision after receiving complaints of overcharging by some hospitals for coronavirus treatment.BMC Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal has instructed area ward officers to take action against nursing homes that do not comply with government guidelines on treatment charges. 

On Tuesday Kiran Dighavkar, assistant commissioner, G North, issued notice to a nursing home in Mahim after receiving a complaint from a 70-year-old patient’s close friend that the facility was charging her Rs 13,450 per day for general ward admittance. The patient was also asked to pay Rs 25,000 for medicines, the friend said. “We have asked for an explanation from the hospital and they have to submit their reply within three days,” Dighavkar said. 

Last month, the BMC appointed auditors for various private hospitals after receiving complaints of overcharging by some facilities for coronavirus treatment.