Issue GO to regulate treatment costs at private hospitals: Telangana HC

Director of Public health informed the court of the various measures taken up by the govt for ramping up infrastructural facilities and manpower to equip the state to deal with a possible third wave

Hyderabad: A two-judge panel, comprising Chief Justice Hima Kohli and Justice B Vijaysen Reddy, of the Telangana High Court while hearing a batch of petitions relating to Covid-19 directed the state to issue a government order to regulate pricing of services and diagnostics in private hospitals.

The panel heard the Director of Public health Dr G Srinivas Rao at length in the virtual hearing. The Director informed the court of the various measures taken up by the government for ramping up infrastructural facilities and manpower to equip the state to deal with a possible third wave. Senior Counsel L Ravichander also pointed out that the hearing of the matter had resulted in multiple positive acts on the part of the government and there were reasons for optimism.

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At one stage, however, the panel voiced its disapproval when it could not hear the Director and was critical of the IT department for not giving the best tech support to the man most important in the present scenario. It directed the state to file an affidavit on steps taken by them to vaccinate citizens in districts with a high rate of positivity.

The panel sought vital information on paediatric services purported to be provided in the future. Upon a suggestion by Ravichander to ensure that punitive measures against private hospitals who overcharge patients should benefit society, the panel remarked that all costs imposed in the future for filing of frivolous petitions in the high court would be diverted to Covid relief.

The Department of Education was directed to file an affidavit on measures adopted to provide compensation to teachers who have lost their lives as a result of having assisted the state in the recent election as polling officers. The Department of Civil Supplies was also directed to furnish an affidavit on supply of essential grains and other essential items to individuals below the poverty line during the lockdown. This facet was brought to the notice of the court by Advocate Chikkudu Prabhaker. Pujita, appearing for one of the petitioners, pointed out to discrepancies in the number of patients said to be victims of black fungus.

Counsel Eunice Lalnunmawii pitched for preference to be given to lawyers for vaccination as they too are frontline workers.

Additional Solicitor General Surya Karan Reddy pointed out that the Bar Association was making arrangements with Apollo Hospital to ensure vaccination for lawyers on a priority basis. The panel having considered the impact of the lockdown and associated circumstances on the mental health of individuals, directed the state to place on record a blueprint it proposes to tackle this issue. It posted the case on June 10. The Chief Justice pointed out that with the government having taken vital decisions on multiple fronts to combat the second wave must share it with the court and the counsels as the matter was not adversarial and everyone was pitching in to help the public get over the challenge.

Permission for lawyers

Justice K Lakshman passed a series of directions for compliance by the police in permitting legal and paralegal persons to travel in the curfew period. The judge made the orders in a writ plea filed by advocate T Jayant Jaisoorya. Counsel Vishnu Vardhan Reddy pointed out that legal service was an essential part of fundamental rights and cannot be curtailed even during the lockout. He also pleaded that the staff timing to move from their homes to offices and back should not be curtailed.

The judge also heard other counsels who said lawyers from AP were not being permitted into the State. The panel stated that the police should permit advocates to travel for official purposes upon production of an identity card issued by the state bar council or any registered advocates association.

Senior Counsel L Ravichander pointed out that the designated website was not effective, and the police must permit them without passes. The judge relied on orders passed by other high courts and directed the police not to harass any advocate travelling for work, and stated that any violation of the order would result in serious consequences.

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