Opposition charges govt is bowing to pressure of corporate hospitals

PANJIM: The State government is facing a major backlash over its sudden decision to keep in abeyance the notification covering treatment for COVID-19 under the Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana (DDSSY). 

The government’s political opponents term the move as “bowing to pressure” of corporate hospitals, which are currently providing treatment to coronavirus patients at a rate capped by the government, which is almost double what was offered under DDSSY.

The announcement was criticised as the opposition termed the move as bowing to pressure of private hospitals as well as a possible rift between Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and Health Minister Vishwajit Rane. 

Congress president Girish Chodankar said the move is a clear reflection of the BJP government’s ‘pro-rich’ and ‘anti-poor’ agenda and defective governance under Sawant. “The sudden move exposes the fact that ‘all is not well’ between CM and Rane. It has also exposed the BJP government of bowing to private hospitals pressure,” he charged. 

Chodankar demanded that the government immediately revise the rates finalised for the private hospitals. 

Minutes after Rane announced the decision, Goa Forward Party (GFP) president and MLA Vijai Sardesai took to the social media to state that with such thoughtless and confused leadership (under Sawant), the government is gambling with the lives of people. 

“As the COVID pandemic reaches unprecedented and alarming heights, government aims even higher with their foolishness, incompetence and absurdity,” he tweeted. 

Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte demanded that the government immediately withdraw its decision. “Government should withdraw its decision to keep in abeyance the coverage of COIVD under DDSSY. The decision to keep the notification under abeyance has been taken at the behest of corporate hospitals,” he charged. 

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Rahul Mahambre said the sudden decision to rollback the previous notification of inclusion of DDSSY is a setback for Goans and reflects the lack of coordination and deep divide between CM and HM. 

The government justification to the decision is that private hospitals are offering packages, which have been capped and notified by the government, while treatment is offered free of cost in all State-run facilities for which lakhs of rupees are being spent. 

Private hospitals are on record stating that the capped rates are ‘not feasible’. Currently four private hospitals – Manipal, Healthway, Victor and SMRC are treating COVID patients. 

Oncologist at Manipal Hospital, Dr Shekhar Salkar, said the rates offered under DDSSY are not feasible for hospitals like theirs. “On government direction, we converted third floor of the hospital, with 15 beds as COVID unit. Now government wants us to convert the general ward. How is that possible,” he said. “We have cancer patients. We cannot risk their lives,” he added. 

Salkar said the government has already notified the rates for private hospitals and now they want private hospitals to provide treatment at Rs 4,000 and Rs 6,000. 

The notification bringing COVID-19 treatment under DDSSY ambit was issued in the Official Gazette by the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) on October 8. The move had been appreciated and welcomed, including by the political rivals. 

However, three days later, on October 11, Rane announced that the decision has been kept in abeyance after consulting the Chief Minister and a fresh notification canceling it would be issued.