Srinagar, June 02 (KNS): Amid COVID 19 pandemic when government hospitals have limited patient services to prevent spread of the fatal virus, Medicare, at Kak Saria in Karan Nagar area of Srinagar is looting patients for different tests.

For a biopsy and other tests the Medicare Centre is overcharging as much as the doctors and its employees wish.

This week a patient took their sample for biopsy tests to the lab and the doctors and employees charged 5000 rupees.
On the second day, the patient's attend got a call from one of the employees and asked to deposit more ten thousand rupees for the tests.

"It was a shock for us as the rates charged for the same tests in rest of the diagnostic centers ranges between Rs 800 to 1200. When we asked Medicare employees and one of the doctors present there about the rates, they gave different alibis," said the attendent.

A number of patients and their attendants complained of same exorbitant rates charged by the Medicare for different tests.

"They charge as per their own rates. Directorate health does not bother to check the rates or keep an eye on them. There is no accountblity on this diagnostic center," Zahoor Ahmad, an attendant said.

He said that patients and attendents are always in distress during the treatment time and such centre takes disadvantage of the distressing situation by overcharging as much as it can.

President Private Diagnostic Centres Association, JK, Umar Iqbal Dhar said that the association has fixed rates as per the expert opinions for patient care and if any centre overcharges authorities concerned should take action.

Director Health Services Kashmir Dr Sameer Matoo said it will ask the concerned to look into the matter.

Chief medical officer Srinagar Dr Jahangir Bakshi said that he will take necessary action.(KNS)