Bhubaneswar: Show-cause notices have been issued to four private hospitals in Bhubaneswar over alleged violations in delivering cashless treatment and instances of overcharging patients, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling informed the Odisha Assembly on Monday.
He was responding to a question raised by MLA Arabinda Mohapatra, who sought clarification from the government on complaints about private hospitals refusing cashless treatment despite being empanelled for the purpose and indulging in inflated billing.
Mahaling stated that the action was taken only after complaints were verified.
The Health Minister informed the House that the hospitals have been asked to submit explanations for the lapses and justify why penal action should not be initiated against them. He stressed that the state government will maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward any negligence that compromises patients’ rights.
The Minister added that a monitoring mechanism is in place to prevent recurrence of such incidents and to ensure patients receive hassle-free, cashless medical care.
