Gujarat High Court took suo moto Cognizance on the profiteering by private hospitals based on reports by the State Government. It was submitted before the court that the private hospitals were charging exorbitant fees from the COVID’19 affected patients. It was submitted on behalf of the private hospitals that they had already reduced their fees by 30 percent and thus the fees charged by them were not exorbitant.
The High Court observed that all the Hospitals whether public or private bear moral responsibility during the pandemic.The High Court also held that those hospitals found guilty of charging exorbitant fees shall be penalized for the same including the cancellation of license. Moreover it allowed hospitals to take predeposits in case such patient directly visited the hospital, however if such patient was referred by a Civil hospital or S.V.P hospital, then in such cases hospitals are not permitted to take predeposits.
Suo Motu v. State of Gujarat
WP PIL No. 42/2020
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