Private hospitals exploiting the poor, urgent action needed: CPM

Andhra Pradesh: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has raised concerns about the alarming exploitation of patients by private hospitals in Amalapuram, particularly Srinidhi Hospital. CPM District Convener Kaaren Venkateswara Rao demanded swift government action to curb unethical practices, including exorbitant fees and inadequate facilities that leave hundreds of patients suffering.

Patients endure long waits and lack of basic amenities

CPM’s District Convener Kaarem Venkateswara Rao highlighted the dire conditions at Srinidhi Hospital, where hundreds of patients are forced to wait for hours without basic seating and fans. “We observed patients waiting under trees for treatment due to the lack of chairs or fans inside the hospital. This is completely unacceptable,” he said.

Exorbitant fees, inadequate facilities

Kaarem criticized the hospital’s practice of charging patients thousands of rupees for OPs, surgeries, and room fees, despite the absence of proper medical infrastructure. “In a hospital like Srinidhi, where specialists in gastroenterology, cardiology, and neurology practice, basic facilities are not provided. Patients are charged thousands without receiving the bare minimum,” he alleged.

Unfair OP charges and time restrictions

The CPM leader also demanded that the government enforce regulations on the time validity of outpatient (OP) services in private hospitals. “It is unjust that patients are charged Rs 500 for OP services, which are only valid for a week or ten days. We demand that the validity be extended to at least one month in all private hospitals,” Kaarem urged.

Government failing to regulate private hospitals

The increasing number of private hospitals in the district, coupled with insufficient oversight from the District Medical and Health Office (DM&HO), has worsened the exploitation of patients, according to Kaarem. “The government is not doing enough to regulate private hospitals. A recent patient death at Srihari Hospital further highlights the need for stricter oversight,” he said.

CPM demands strict action against negligent hospitals

He called for immediate government intervention, demanding that the DM&HO inspect all private hospitals to ensure compliance with medical regulations. “We urge district officials to verify if private hospitals have the necessary facilities like labs, operation theaters, and ICUs as per government guidelines. Hospitals neglecting patient welfare must face strict action,” Kaarem reiterated.

CPM cadre observes exploitative practices first-hand

During their visit, CPM party members, including G Durgaprasad, S Suryanarayana, Polamuri Srinivas, and Tadi Srirammurthy, witnessed the troubling conditions at Srinidhi Hospital, further reinforcing their demand for immediate government action.

‘Healthcare system plagued by exploitation, corruption, and profit over patient welfare in AP’

“Government negligence and private greed have turned healthcare into a nightmare for the average person, entrapping patients in a vicious cycle of exploitation,” CPM leader Kaarem reportedly told War-Times. He strongly alleged that healthcare system is plagued by exploitation, corruption, and profit over patient welfare in Andhra Pradesh.

Kaarem Venkateshwara Rao paints a grim picture of the healthcare landscape in Andhra Pradesh, where government hospitals act as mere referral centers, pushing patients toward costly private hospitals that prioritize profits over care. The result is the draining of life savings for basic treatments, with private hospitals inflating bills through unnecessary tests, surgeries, and ICU admissions. Kaarem criticizes the deep-rooted collusion between hospitals, diagnostic centers, and medical shops, where patients are prescribed ex…