Anwer Khan Modern Hospital ‘bars patient from leaving’ over COVID-19 treatment bills

A COVID-19 patient has complained of being held captive all day at Anwer Khan Modern Hospital over bills even though healthcare for coronavirus infection was free of cost there.

Saifur Rahman told bdnews24.com on Tuesday evening that he got admitted to the hospital in Dhanmondi on May 23 following discomfort due to rapid heart rates after testing positive for coronavirus at another private hospital two days earlier.

In the wake of the soaring rate of virus infection, the government announced COVID-19 treatment free of cost at 13 private hospitals and Anwer Khan Modern Hospital is one of them.

Health Directorate’s Additional Secretary Habibur Rahman Khan on Tuesday told bdnews24.com that patients would not have to pay for coronavirus treatment because the government would cover the costs for COVID-19 cases at designated hospitals.

The authorities of Anwer Khan Modern Hospital, however, said they were no longer one of those ‘dedicated’ hospitals for COVID-19 patients.

The hospital’s Director Dr Md Ehteshamul Haque told bdnews24.com at midnight that after speaking to relevant people in the government, they had decided that they would treat all coronavirus patients free of cost until May 31. If any patient had been charged until then, they would be refunded.

The hospital started its service with the ‘COVID-19 dedicated’ tag from mid-May with a capacity of treating 200 patients.

The patient, Saifur, works at a private company and lives with his wife and child at Mohammadpur’s Dhaka Uddyan area. He checked into Anwer Khan Modern Hospital upon hearing that the government had announced to bear virus treatment costs there.

But the hospital had billed him unfairly, he alleged. They had performed blood tests twice, conducted three x-rays and supplied him with Napa tablets as medication until Tuesday. The bills totalled more than Tk 150,000.

“I required no oxygen support neither did I need surgery. But they are asking for a lot of money. Where would I get so much money?” Saifur said.

“I spoke to the hospital administration. They said I must pay up to leave the hospital.”

His discharge letter was issued around 3pm Tuesday, but he was not allowed to leave the hospital until 10:30pm when the report was filed.

His medical bill included Tk 18,700 for doctors, Tk 114,570 for hospital facilities, Tk 19,475 for tests and Tk 5,000 for medications. An additional Tk 12,903 was charged for services.

bdnews24.com’s call to director Dr Ehteshamul initially went unanswered. A staffer at the hospital said calls to his phone were diverted.

When the Health Directorate’s additional secretary was informed of the matter, he said, “Treatment at the COVID-19 dedicated hospitals is completely free and that's the case with Anwer Khan Modern Hospital as well.”

He asked for a copy of the bill and said he would speak to the hospital authorities.

Later, the hospital director Dr Ehteshamul took a call from bdnews24.com and said that their contract with the government ended in May, but they would arrange for a discount for the patient.

Ehteshamul also said he will instruct the hospital authorities. "The patient will receive a maximum discount on our behalf.”

Additional Secretary Habibur said Anwer Khan Modern Hospital was looking to get out of the government contract.

“If they are adamant about it, the ministry may entertain their request. But they cannot demand bills until May 31. They can only charge him for Jun 1,” he added.

Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Hospital’s Chairman Anwer Hossain Khan is General Secretary of Bangladesh Private Medical Association and the MP of Lakhsmipur-1.