Action sought against two more health facilities

Kathmandu, January 1

The Department of Supply Management and Protection of Consumers’ Interest today sent a letter to the Metropolitan Police Division asking it to initiate action against two more hospitals — Grande International Hospital and Norvic International Hospital as both the hospitals were overcharging patients.

The department had sent a letter yesterday to the MPD asking it to take action against B&B Hospital, National Institute of Neurological and Allied Sciences and Ishan Children and Women’s Hospital for overcharging patients.

The department has sent a letter with evidences collected during field inspection of the hospitals, and statements of patients and hospital staffers. The department had asked both the hospitals to furnish clarification after the investigation.

“The hospitals were found to be overcharging patients. Therefore, we have asked the MPD to take further action,” said Kumar Prasad Dahal, director general at the department. “The hospitals are service providers and they can’t take additional charges under different headings. People are being cheated and we need to stop such practice,” added Dahal.

Similarly, it has also asked Vayodha Hospitals Pvt Ltd to furnish clarification on overcharging patients. In addition, Kathmandu Model Hospital was found not to be taking five per cent tax from patients during the department’s inspection. The department has been investigating both the cases according to Dahal.

Department officials had paid an inspection visit after receiving complaints against the hospitals. The hospitals were found to be charging 10 per cent extra fee for beds and 13 per cent VAT and were overcharging patients under different headings.