This story is from July 2, 2020

Telangana: Private hospitals line up for govt nod to treat Covid-19 patients

With a reportedly large number of Covid-19 patients willing to be admitted to private hospitals for treatment, several private hospitals are seeking government nod to treat Covid-19 patients.
Telangana: Private hospitals line up for govt nod to treat Covid-19 patients
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HYDERABAD: With a reportedly large number of Covid-19 patients willing to be admitted to private hospitals for treatment, several private hospitals are seeking government nod to treat Covid-19 patients.
Around 50 private hospitals received permission to treat Covid-19 patients after the state government announced last month that private hospitals can treat Covid-19 patients.

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According to sources, there are at least 40 applications from private hospitals pending with the government. “We are scrutinising the applications. At present, we are granting permission to only 100-bed hospitals with certification from National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and which are following all the guidelines to treat Covid-19 patients,” said a government official.
Most hospitals that have permission to admit Covid-19 patients are part of the Telangana Super Specialty Hospitals Network Association and have more than 100 beds. These hospitals are located in Hyderabad, Rangareddy and Medchal districts. However, several other hospitals that are part of Telangana Aarogyasri Network Hospitals Association (TANHA) with 50-bed capacity and above are awaiting government nod to test and treat Covid-19 patients.

“As per the ICMR guidelines, hospitals should have equal numbers of ventilators and ICU beds in order to be able to treat Covid-19 patients and get permission. They must also follow all guidelines,” said Dr Ashok Reddy, president, Telangana Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association.
Meanwhile, a few sources have alleged that some of the hospitals already having permission are not adhering to rules laid down by the government. “Some hospitals do not have separate admission and exit routes for suspected Covid-19 patients. The hospitals have become greedy and are not maintaining separate wards or lifts for Covid-19 patients and their family members,” a source told TOI on condition of anonymity.
Further, a few hospitals are reportedly overcharging patients citing ventilator charges even though the patient was not put on ventilator.
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