Govt. to control fees charged by private hospitals

5 September 2018 02:08 am - 16 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA) is expected to issue a gazette notice specifying the maximum fee that could be charged from patients by private hospitals, nursing homes, private clinics and private medical practitioners and specialists.

"The pricing formula to be gazetted for the first time in Sri Lank's medical history consists of 53 services ranging from scans, tests and surgeries performed on patients suffering from ailments such as heart and chronic kidney diseases and various cancers," Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday.

He said some of the medical services also include transplants, laparoscopy, appendicectomy, carpal tunnel surgery, hemorrhoidectomy, hernia, thyroidectomy, abdominal hysterectomy, colonoscopy, laparoscopy, endoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, dialysis, echocardiogram, ultrasound scan, urine culture, lipid panel, fasting blood sugar test, cataract surgery, dental extraction and surgery, all type heart, brain, kidney surgeries, stents and angioplasty surgery and channelling.

The Health Ministry is to set up a special desk to inquire into complaints. It is mandatory to issue a receipt that includes the type of treatment and drugs given to the patient.

Meanwhile, the NMRA on the instructions of the minister also reduced the prices of 26 essential drugs of which 15 are for cancer patients and 11 for other diseases.

For instance, under the new price formula, a 50 mg Fluconazole tablet now costs only Rs.25 and the old price of it was Rs.59.22. The maximum retail price of 10 mg Montelukast tablet has been reduced to Rs.21 from Rs.154.31. The new price of a Topiramate 100 mg tablet is Rs.52 from Rs.186.88. Ceftazidime 500 mg injection is reduced to Rs.480 from Rs.650. The price of a Sitagliptin 100 mg tablet has come down to Rs. 48.50 from Rs. 232.00. Insulin 10 ml injection is reduced to Rs.1,200 from the earlier Rs.1,760. (Sandun A Jayaskera)

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Comments - 16

Anja Wednesday, 05 September 2018 06:14 AM

Ultimately It will be more charges tgan now..suwapathi via DM Android App

Nihal Wednesday, 05 September 2018 10:52 AM

You may want to bring back MR to reduce the drugs ( Heroin from 1500 to 1000).

ANTON Wednesday, 05 September 2018 06:18 AM

FIRST INSTRUCT THEM NOT TO TAKE ECG FROM THE PATIENTS HAVING SIMPLE COUGH AND COLD

Clara Thattil Wednesday, 05 September 2018 06:36 AM

High time. Heartless doctors.

Arnold Wednesday, 05 September 2018 06:55 AM

In other countries government subsidizes private healthcare, and private education because they take a massive load off the shoulders of the government.

Jamlji Wednesday, 05 September 2018 07:16 AM

Private hospitals don't sell drugs which are inexpensive. 16 mg Betahistine dihydro chloride is available for Rs. 15/=. A leading private hospital famed for eye and ear diseases is selling this drug for Rs. 45/= Indian and Pakistani brands are available for this cheap price. Hospital is selling Malaysian origin which is also an Asian country .

SUMANA Wednesday, 05 September 2018 07:46 AM

IMMEDIATELY ACT PRIVATE HOSPITAL BILLS BUT RAJITHA AND ALL MPs ENJOYING FOREIGN HOSPITALS DUE TO AFRAID OF THEIR LIVES

Dee Wednesday, 05 September 2018 08:30 AM

You crazy? Already the GMOA and bus drivers are creating enough havoc by having flash strikes, this will unify the entire 'striking forces' led by the JOkers.

Buddhist Wednesday, 05 September 2018 08:49 AM

Not only the charges if the hospitals even the tests recommended by docs should be re-examined and fees reduced.

Buddhist Wednesday, 05 September 2018 08:49 AM

Not only the charges if the hospitals even the tests recommended by docs should be re-examined and fees reduced.

Buddhist Wednesday, 05 September 2018 08:49 AM

Not only the charges if the hospitals even the tests recommended by docs should be re-examined and fees reduced.

Jude Wednesday, 05 September 2018 09:26 AM

Make GMOA members to treat more paietents for less money!!!??

karthik Wednesday, 05 September 2018 10:57 AM

All those who go to Private Hospitals are not rich and we will be very happy if charges are controlled in these hospitals.Hospital charges are like Tourist Hotel charges.

ram Wednesday, 05 September 2018 12:18 PM

i was charged Rs.50 for charging mobile phone 10 years back by a private hospital in wellawatte. same hospital charged rs.180000 for no treatment. just to dress wound for 5 days.

Haramanis Wednesday, 05 September 2018 02:28 PM

Ram - those high charges appear to be to repair bomb damages

SAM Wednesday, 05 September 2018 02:00 PM

Govt should also consider Doctors charges too including surgeries as well as channeling. Also insurance charges as well.

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Govt. to control fees charged by private hospitals

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