LETTERS: I do agree that private healthcare is not funded by the government and so the patient has to bear for the comfort, convenience and personalised care.
But, why were private hospitals charging commercial rates to treat patients transferred from public hospitals during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic?
The country was going through a health crisis and the public healthcare system had been taxed and stretched to the maximum in terms of manpower and resources. They were running out of beds and facilities at intensive care units (ICU) and other critical units.
The private hospitals were roped in to help out during these critical times and patients who were directed there by the public hospitals were charged exorbitant rates and terms.
Covid-19 patients who opted for private hospitals for Category 3 cases were charged around RM8,000 to RM10,000. If the patient required ICU care, then the charges snowballed to around RM30,000 to RM50,000.
I beg to differ, but the general perception is that private hospitals charge exorbitant rates and many people have complained about the excessive charges of private practitioners and private hospitals.
The medicine dispensed and the medical equipment used in a private clinic can cost an arm and a leg. Some charge exorbitant rates for consultation fees alone even without dispensing any medication or treatment.
Many who go to private hospitals have medical insurance coverage and their charges are covered by the insurance companies. So, they have no qualms about the charges incurred.
However, those who have to fork out of their pockets would feel the brunt of the charges. During the Covid pandemic last year, a father filed a complaint against a private hospital which charged RM201 for 18 face masks which the nurses used while treating his daughter.
The ceiling and approved price of a face mask is RM1.50 but the private hospital charged RM11 per piece. The alert and informed father checked the items charged in the receipt and immediately filed a complaint.
The private hospital has been compounded with a fine of RM200,000 for overcharging the patient for the face masks. Hopefully, the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) will look into the exorbitant rates charged by some private medical practitioners.
These are critical times, do not add on to the misery of the people by making money at the expense of the vulnerable.
Samuel Yesuiah
Seremban, Negri Sembilan
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times