CJP directs hospitals to review exorbitant treatment charges

LAHORE: Chief Justice of Paksitan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Sunday ordered private hospitals administration to revise fee structure for patients.  

Hearing the case of expensive healthcare in private hospitals, the Chief Justice lashed out at private hospitals, saying “if doctors can not serve people then they should shut down their hospitals.”

Expressing dismay that how can hospitals charge extra fees despite court orders, the top judge decreed all hospitals to not exceed the limit set by Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) when charging patients for treatment.

The Chief Justice warned hospital administrations to revise their treatment fees, otherwise court will decide on the matter. “Let poor also avail better medical facilities,” he added.

“Hospitals were advised to charge Rs0.1 million for putting a stint in heart, but here they [doctors] are earning that amount in a day from their patients’ fee,”  CJP resented.

The chief executive officer of the private hospital appeared before the court for case hearing.

Justice Nisar had also issued notices to the Secretary Health Punjab and Punjab Healthcare Commission in the case.

Chief Justice Nisar on Saturday had taken a suo motu notice of the expensive healthcare facilities in private hospitals of Lahore.

During the previous hearing of the case, the CJP ordered to summon the owners of more than ten private hospitals to appear before the court.

The judge was of the view that private hospitals are fleeing patients in the name of healthcare and the court has been receiving complaints against them on daily basis.