Notices to two private hospitals in Bengaluru for not treating Covid patients

BENGALURU: The Karnataka government, on Monday, issued a show-cause notice to two private hospitals in Bengaluru for refusing treatment to Covid-19 patients.
In the notice issued to Apollo Speciality Hospitals and Vikram Hospital, the deputy commissioner of Bengaluru urban district, gave 24 hours time to hospital management to respond on why action should not be taken against them under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.

There have been several allegations against corporate hospitals in Bengaluru of refusing treatment to Covid patients.

Medical education minister K Sudhakar too warned of initiating criminal action against private medical colleges and hospitals for failing to support the government in Covid testing and treatment.

“We will file criminal complaints against hospital management that refuse to admit Covid and non-Covid patients. Action will be taken against 2-3 such hospitals in a day or two,” Sudhakar told reporters on Monday.

He also warned of withdrawing the license of private medical colleges that have either not opened Covid labs or not taking enough sample load. “Even after repeatedly asking to set up laboratories, many medical colleges have failed to act. This is the last warning to management of medical colleges. You should test all samples that the government sends without fail,” he said.