<p>The Madras High Court on Tuesday took judicial cognisance of reports that private hospitals were overcharging patients amid the COVID-19 crisis (<em><strong>S</strong> <strong>Jimraj Milton v. Union of India and ors</strong></em>).</p>.<p>While hearing allied issues raised in a PIL moved by Advocate <strong>Jimraj Milton</strong>, the Bench of Justices <strong>Vineet Kothari</strong> and <strong>R Suresh Kumar</strong> observed on Tuesday, </p>.<div><blockquote>"The cases of overcharging in private hospitals has also come to the notice of the Court through media reports, based on which a judicial cognizance can be taken by this Court and also several allied issues connected with the management and treatment of Covid-19 disease."</blockquote><span class="attribution">Madras High Court</span></div>.<p>In his petition, Milton had raised grievance over the State Government's intimation that willing persons may opt for private hospitals to obtain treatment for COVID-19 at their own costs. </p>.<p>The petitioner had argued that as per the Disaster Management Act, and given that health is part of the State's responsibilities, the Government should bear the costs for COVID-19 treatment. </p>.<p>Taking serious note of the issues raised, and given that the situation is of an <em>urgent and emergent nature</em>, the Court on Tuesday gave the Central Government and the State Government a week's time to file their response in the matter. </p>.<p>In particular, the Court has asked the Government authorities to file their response on the following aspects, </p><ul><li><p>The treatment and management of COVID-19 in private hospitals, along with the Government hospitals, where, of course, free treatment is provided to COVID-19 patients. </p></li><li><p>Details on the aspects of the cost to be borne for such treatment in private hospitals, </p></li><li><p>Details regarding providing of caps on charges, if any </p></li><li><p>Whether any complaint redressal system is in place for overcharging by private hospitals. If such a system is in place, how many complaints have been received and redressed, and in what manner have they been addressed. </p></li></ul>.<p>The matter will be taken up next on June 16. </p>.<p>Advocate <strong>S Parthasarathy</strong> appeared for the petitioner. </p>.<p>Central Government Standing Counsel <strong>K Srinivasamurthy</strong> appeared for the Central Government.</p>.<p>Additional Advocate General <strong>SR Rajagopal</strong>, assisted by Government Pleader <strong>V Jayaprakash Narayan</strong> appeared for the State authorities. </p>.<h3><strong>Read the order:</strong></h3>
<p>The Madras High Court on Tuesday took judicial cognisance of reports that private hospitals were overcharging patients amid the COVID-19 crisis (<em><strong>S</strong> <strong>Jimraj Milton v. Union of India and ors</strong></em>).</p>.<p>While hearing allied issues raised in a PIL moved by Advocate <strong>Jimraj Milton</strong>, the Bench of Justices <strong>Vineet Kothari</strong> and <strong>R Suresh Kumar</strong> observed on Tuesday, </p>.<div><blockquote>"The cases of overcharging in private hospitals has also come to the notice of the Court through media reports, based on which a judicial cognizance can be taken by this Court and also several allied issues connected with the management and treatment of Covid-19 disease."</blockquote><span class="attribution">Madras High Court</span></div>.<p>In his petition, Milton had raised grievance over the State Government's intimation that willing persons may opt for private hospitals to obtain treatment for COVID-19 at their own costs. </p>.<p>The petitioner had argued that as per the Disaster Management Act, and given that health is part of the State's responsibilities, the Government should bear the costs for COVID-19 treatment. </p>.<p>Taking serious note of the issues raised, and given that the situation is of an <em>urgent and emergent nature</em>, the Court on Tuesday gave the Central Government and the State Government a week's time to file their response in the matter. </p>.<p>In particular, the Court has asked the Government authorities to file their response on the following aspects, </p><ul><li><p>The treatment and management of COVID-19 in private hospitals, along with the Government hospitals, where, of course, free treatment is provided to COVID-19 patients. </p></li><li><p>Details on the aspects of the cost to be borne for such treatment in private hospitals, </p></li><li><p>Details regarding providing of caps on charges, if any </p></li><li><p>Whether any complaint redressal system is in place for overcharging by private hospitals. If such a system is in place, how many complaints have been received and redressed, and in what manner have they been addressed. </p></li></ul>.<p>The matter will be taken up next on June 16. </p>.<p>Advocate <strong>S Parthasarathy</strong> appeared for the petitioner. </p>.<p>Central Government Standing Counsel <strong>K Srinivasamurthy</strong> appeared for the Central Government.</p>.<p>Additional Advocate General <strong>SR Rajagopal</strong>, assisted by Government Pleader <strong>V Jayaprakash Narayan</strong> appeared for the State authorities. </p>.<h3><strong>Read the order:</strong></h3>
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