On 17 December 2014 at 20:37, Stephen Dias <[email protected]> wrote:
OPEN LETTER TO DR. FRANCISCO COLACO Sub : This has reference to the letter dt. 18th Dec, 2014, by Dr. Francisco Colaco in one the section of Press on 'OVERCHARGING PATIENTS" jc's COMMENT: Dr. Francisco Colaco is a senior specialist physician based in Goa. He took the trouble to write a letter to the Heraldo about the exorbitant amounts allegedly charged for patient care by certain hospitals. He also made reference to a possible attempt to extract funds from a patient for a procedure the patient allegedly did not need. Unfortunately, Dr. Francisco Colaco neither named the hospital nor the doctor who attempted coercion. If he had, patients who do due diligence would have had the opportunity to review for themselves. I submit that it is the responsibility of senior physicians to follow such matters up with the Medical Association and at Conferences. The benefit of this would also be that the 'accused' hospital would / would not be able to defend itself by way of CPT (procedural) codes of what needed to be done in a case of an emergency. These can be reviewed by a select team of impartial physicians. As far as Stephen Dias' 'Open Letter to Dr. Francisco Colaco' is concerned, I will only state the following: a: What on earth are "Crack" doctors? b: Why would any one (Adv. Rui Ferreira included) seek attention at a hospital for a "minor illness"? c: I wonder if Mr. Dias knows the meaning of the term 'Offence'. In conclusion: 1: Private medical care is expensive 2: Private hospital care is even more expensive 3: It is incumbent upon the patient to check the costs before he/she checks into a hospital 4: Do NOT use hospitals for minor illnesses - unless you can afford the costs. Remember, it is NOT the duration of time one spends in the hospital BUT what has to be done and is done while one is there. 5: Please ask the genius who moved the hospital from Panjim to Bambolim: HELLO ....where is the hospital for the capital city? 6: There is NO WAY that the private hospitals would last a week IF the care in the public hospitals was Competent, Caring and Clean. jc http://www.heraldgoa.in/Edit/Letters/Corporate-hospitals-overcharging-patients/82355.html Corporate hospitals overcharging patients By Dr. Francisco Colaco, Margao | 18 Dec, 2014, 11:42PM IST The advent of corporate hospitals in Goa has brought good tidings; regrettably, however, it has led to rampant commercialization and overcharging of patients. Recently, a patient of mine from Siridao, who had a bout of paroxysmal tachycardia, was admitted to a well known private hospital in Goa during an emergency. His tachycardia was aborted with intravenous diltiazem. He stayed just for one day and his total bill was a whopping Rs 30,000. What is more disturbing is the fact that he was being further pressed for a coronary angiography which was unnecessary and unjustified in this patient. Wisely, the patient, sought discharge against medical advice, despite intense pressure to stay on. It must be said that on earlier occasions this very patient was tackled for the very same condition at the GMC and he did not have to spend more than Rs 1000 each time. Presently, the patient under consideration is leaving for Mumbai for radiofrequency ablation which is the definitive treatment (not available in Goa). He is ready to beg and borrow for a new lease of life. Sometime ago one of our most respected and senior most ENT surgeons from Goa was admitted for one day at the same hospital for Vivax Malaria. His bill? A hefty Rs. 17,000. Despite the fact that the most ethical and respected doctor, his consultant, forfeited his own charges! Months ago, a patient with urinary retention was admitted, again at the same hospital. After catheterization he was discharged after having had to pay an unbelievable amount of Rs. 20, 000. No surgical procedure was carried out. Ever since corporate hospitals have invaded Goa there has been a spurt of charges that are exorbitant and unacceptable. The whole medical scenario in Goa is experiencing a dramatic change. It is time the Government steps in to monitor the fees.
