Thumbay Moideen featured on the cover of Forbes Middle East

Bengaluru, July 15: The family members of a 67-year-old man, who had developed some symptoms of Covid-19, was in for a rude shock when a “reputed” private hospital in Bengaluru’s Whitefield quoted estimated bill of Rs 9.09 lakh for 10 days.

The elderly man was rushed to Columbia Asia Hospital even before receiving his covid-19 test report. But after a look at the estimated bill, the family chose not to admit him there.

The break-up of the estimated bill included Rs 1.40 lakh for ventilator, Rs 3 lakh for medicines, medical supplies and consumables, Rs 2 lakh for laboratory investigations, Rs 75,000 for room rent, Rs 75,000 towards professional fee, Rs 58,500 for nursing charges, Rs 35,000 for radiology investigations and physiotherapy, and Rs 25,000 for equipment and surgical items.

The hospital authorities reportedly told the family members that the actual bill could be higher in the event of complications, unanticipated extension of stay and comorbidities.

“He was tested on Sunday and we were waiting for the result. On Monday, he started gasping for breath. Columbia Asia Hospital told us they had an ICU bed and we rushed him to the emergency care. When they showed us the estimate, we were shocked,” said Abdul Bashir, a nephew of the patient.

“We then contacted Dr Taha Mateen of HBS Hospital through an NGO ‘Mercy Mission’. We got him admitted there for just Rs 25,000,” he said adding that Hospitals should not take advantage when emotions are running high. 

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 3: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday wrote letters to 11 Chief Ministers including Arvind Kejriwal--Delhi and Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal-- pointing out apprehensions that had arisen among large sections of society consequent to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) - 2019.

In his letter, the Chief Minister said "the need of the hour is unity among all Indians who wish to protect and preserve our cherished values of democracy and secularism."

People from various cross-sections of the society irrespective of any difference they might have, need to stand united in preserving the basic tenets of our polity which form the cornerstone of Indian democracy, he added.

"We are sure that our unity in diversity, which has stood the test of times will ultimately emerge stronger. Kerala has decided to address the apprehensions about NRC and that preparation of NPR will lead to NRC by staying all activities relating to NPR in the State," Mr Vijayan said.

In this regard, the Kerala Legislative Assembly had passed the resolution on December 31, 2019, expressing its concern regarding the impact the CAA will have on the nation's secular credentials, he said.

"The resolution requested the Central Government to repeal the CAA, 2019. States, which have the opinion that CAA should be repealed can also consider similar steps so that it will be an eye-opener to the proponents of the CAA and the NRC," the Chief Minister pointed out.

Bengaluru, Mar 26: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Working President Eshwara Khandre on Thursday suggested to the State government to utilize the infrastructure available at the International Exhibition Centre on the outskirts of the City on Tumakuru Road near Nelamangala, about 15 km from here, for quarantine and treatment of people affected with the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 

In a statement here today, Mr Khandre said that the dreaded disease is spreading like wildfire and according to experts the figure may touch one Lakh in the State. 

Hence there is necessary to have adequate infrastructure found well in advance and utlise if necessity arises. The Center is built on a 57-acre land and there are sufficient space available and since it is on the outskirts of the city there is no threat of the virus spreading to the Bengaluru City.