• MCPA claims some pvt. hospitals charge different prices for same service within own facilities, medical exam costs vary from hosp. to hosp., billing irregularities
• Also alleges Inadequate basic health facilities, unqualified docs/nurses/other med. staff, maj. surgeries sans blood bank/ICU facilities/ETUs/surgical-lab equipment 
• Certain medical specialist practitioners failing to take responsibility for pre-/post-op. care

The Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) claimed that patients seeking services in the private health sector face a range of difficulties as the Private Health Services Regulatory Council (PHSRC), which is tasked with overseeing private medical centres and hospitals, is currently in a state of apathy.

The PHSRC is a body established within the Health Ministry to regulate the private health sector.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, MCPA President Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa noted that the lack of effective oversight has left patients seeking treatment in the private sector severely disadvantaged. He claimed that the PHSRC is currently in an inefficient state, and that its failure to implement proper regulation has resulted in a range of problems for patients.

“Some private hospitals charge different prices for the same service within their own facilities, and costs for identical medical examinations vary from one private hospital to another. Patients also face irregularities in billing, as well as inadequate basic health facilities that are supposed to guarantee their safety. Certain institutions even employ unqualified doctors, nurses, and other medical staff,” he alleged.

He added that some private hospitals carry out major surgeries despite not having a blood bank, intensive care unit (ICU) facilities, emergency treatment units (ETUs), or even essential surgical and laboratory equipment. He said that the ministry should conduct proper investigations into irregularities within private hospitals and medical centres and also urged authorities to look closely at the risks posed by surgeries performed in private facilities that operate with minimal resources.

“The responsibility of the relevant medical specialist should remain from the point a patient is admitted until after surgery. However, there are cases where certain practitioners fail to take responsibility for pre- and post-operative care. This leads patients to seek treatment from multiple doctors for the same illness. The regulatory activities over private hospitals have collapsed due to the influence of various parties,” he said.

Attempts to contact Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, and PHSRC Chairperson and Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardana regarding the serious allegations made, proved futile.