Dr. Sultana, who is a Duty Medical Officer (DMO) at government-run Fever Hospital in Hyderabad and a COVID-19 patient was charged around 1.20 lakh for a day hospital stay and allegedly detained by the authorities of Thumbay New Life Hospital, a private hospital in Hyderabad.
A video of Dr Sultana making a fervent appeal for rescue from the hospital’s exploitation has put a question mark on the government’s price-cap on coronavirus treatment at private hospitals.
Dr. Sultana was tested positive for the coronavirus on June 24 and after that, she was home quarantined. After a week, on July 2, she suffered a minor breathing issue and got herself admitted to Thumbay New Life Hospital where she was charged around Rs 1.5 lakh for a day stay at the hospital.
“Due to shortness of breath, I was admitted into Thumbay Hospital, Chaderghat. For one day they are charging Rs 1.15 lakh; I could not pay so much as one-day expenses. My brother paid Rs 1.9 lakh in total and they are not discharging us, they are misbehaving with us. The staff is refusing insulin to me, not provided meals,” doctor says sobbing in the video.
“I am in trouble, please help. I cannot pay them Rs 1 lakh every day. I want to be discharged right now. I am a Covid-19 warrior,” she added.
She also alleged that she is diabetic and was given insulin but not served the food by the hospital.
Despite Dr.Sultana’s raising question about the highly excessive charges, the hospital only let her go after receiving payment of around Rs 1.19 lakh.
The doctor has also written a complaint addressed to the Chaderghat Inspector reporting about the incidents during her stay at the hospital. However, the Chaderghat police denied receiving any complaint.
“After the video surfaced on social media, we checked the footage recorded by the CCTV cameras installed in the hospital. An enquiry was conducted regarding the incident. However, no complaint has been lodged in the police station,” the Chaderghat police said.
 at government-run Fever Hospital in Hyderabad and a COVID-19 patient was charged around 1.20 lakh for a day hospital stay and allegedly detained by the authorities of Thumbay New Life Hospital, a private hospital in Hyderabad.){kind=link}