Kathmandu, February 14

The Ministry of Health has formed a task force led by chief of Curative Services Division Bholaram Shrestha to check overbilling by private hospitals.

The move comes in the wake of public outcry over allegations that private hospitals levy higher charge on patients under various headings. The task force includes representatives of Department of Health Services, Department of Drug Administration, Ministry of Finance and consumer rights bodies.

An official at the Ministry of Health said the task force would monitor private hospitals and submit its comprehensive report to the ministry with recommendations.

A recent monitoring by government agencies and consumer rights activists had claimed that many private hospitals were collecting higher charge from patients under different headings.