CJP takes notice of high treatment fee
Warns action against illegal parking and construction at hospitals
CJP Mian Saqib Nisar: PHOTO:EXPRESS/FILE
LAHORE:
Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar made it clear to the authorities of the private hospitals that a fine of Rs10,000 would be imposed if any vehicle was parked in front of hospitals creating disturbances for the public.
CJP Nisar was heading a two-judge bench at the Supreme Court Registry Lahore when he gave these remarks while hearing a suo motu notice against the exorbitant fee of private hospitals charged in the name of medical treatment and hinted at ordering forensic audit of their accounts. The country’s top judge said the amount of fine would be deposited in dam fund.
CJP orders arrest of DIG Gilgit over 'posting photos' of former wife online
During the course of proceedings, the CJP asked who had come to represent Hameed Latif Hospital as he came to know that the hospital was constructed illegally. However, a doctor representing the hospital, informed the court that they had implemented the court orders and in the light of the same orders, they had demolished one portion of the hospital. On this, the CJP directed the LDA director general to visit the hospital to examine the illegal construction.
On illegal parking outside the hospitals, the CJP remarked that if any vehicle was found there, a fine of Rs10,000 would be imposed on each vehicle and the amount would be deposited to dam fund. He remarked the poor masses were being fleeced in the name of so-called medical treatment at private hospitals.
Representatives of only three hospitals ie Surgimed, Al-Raazi and Hameed Latif, were present in the court. Punjab Secretary Health Captain (retd) Saqib Zafar and Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) Chief Operating Officer Dr Ajmal Khan were also present in the court.
The CJP said the court wanted to know what steps were taken by the commission to regulate fee of private hospitals. Dr Khan admitted that unfortunately, the commission has failed to fulfill its mandate of regulating and controlling fee mechanism of healthcare services. However, he said scrutiny of medical fee and other charges of at least Lahore-based major private hospitals could be done within six weeks.
Dam opponents are traitors: CJP
The CJP observed that some of the private hospitals raised illegal structures and occupied public roads for their parking. He said Surgimed Hospital used major portion of Zafar Ali Road for its parking. A lawyer pointed out that Surgimed and Akram medical Complex were constructed in front of a drain on Zafar Ali Road and Jail Road respectively. At this, the CJP directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to submit a report explaining as to how permission was granted to build hospitals at the bank drains.
The chief justice adjourned hearing till Sunday (today) and summoned owners of the private hospitals along with the list of their fees structure and other charges.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 16th, 2018.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar made it clear to the authorities of the private hospitals that a fine of Rs10,000 would be imposed if any vehicle was parked in front of hospitals creating disturbances for the public.
CJP Nisar was heading a two-judge bench at the Supreme Court Registry Lahore when he gave these remarks while hearing a suo motu notice against the exorbitant fee of private hospitals charged in the name of medical treatment and hinted at ordering forensic audit of their accounts. The country’s top judge said the amount of fine would be deposited in dam fund.
CJP orders arrest of DIG Gilgit over 'posting photos' of former wife online
During the course of proceedings, the CJP asked who had come to represent Hameed Latif Hospital as he came to know that the hospital was constructed illegally. However, a doctor representing the hospital, informed the court that they had implemented the court orders and in the light of the same orders, they had demolished one portion of the hospital. On this, the CJP directed the LDA director general to visit the hospital to examine the illegal construction.
On illegal parking outside the hospitals, the CJP remarked that if any vehicle was found there, a fine of Rs10,000 would be imposed on each vehicle and the amount would be deposited to dam fund. He remarked the poor masses were being fleeced in the name of so-called medical treatment at private hospitals.
Representatives of only three hospitals ie Surgimed, Al-Raazi and Hameed Latif, were present in the court. Punjab Secretary Health Captain (retd) Saqib Zafar and Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) Chief Operating Officer Dr Ajmal Khan were also present in the court.
The CJP said the court wanted to know what steps were taken by the commission to regulate fee of private hospitals. Dr Khan admitted that unfortunately, the commission has failed to fulfill its mandate of regulating and controlling fee mechanism of healthcare services. However, he said scrutiny of medical fee and other charges of at least Lahore-based major private hospitals could be done within six weeks.
Dam opponents are traitors: CJP
The CJP observed that some of the private hospitals raised illegal structures and occupied public roads for their parking. He said Surgimed Hospital used major portion of Zafar Ali Road for its parking. A lawyer pointed out that Surgimed and Akram medical Complex were constructed in front of a drain on Zafar Ali Road and Jail Road respectively. At this, the CJP directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to submit a report explaining as to how permission was granted to build hospitals at the bank drains.
The chief justice adjourned hearing till Sunday (today) and summoned owners of the private hospitals along with the list of their fees structure and other charges.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 16th, 2018.