Twitter praises Indian state of Kerala for free COVID-19 treatment, as actual high costs charged by private hospitals exposed
In Kerala medical supplies related to the coronavirus treatment are free of charge.
The outbreak of COVID-19 has turned treatment in private hospitals across India costlier than ever. According to an Indian social media channel, Scoop Whoop Unscripted, treatment of a normal Covid-19 carrier without ventilators or other life-saving equipment, costs between Rs20000 (Dh972) to Rs25000 (Dh1216) daily, which means a 14-day treatment of a patient costs between Rs280000 (Dh13,614) to Rs350000 (Dh17,017).
Some tweeps have said that there are other similar cases that have been reported in the capital city of India.
According to the news site Indian Express, the bill of a covid infected person could vary from Rs3 lakhs (Dh14,586) a week to Rs16 lakhs (Dh77,796) a month. Because there isn't any specific drug to COVID-19, a drug named Tocilizumab is being used and one dose of this drug costs between Rs40,000 (Dh1,944) to Rs60,000 (Dh2,917). People neither have insurance cover nor sufficient money to afford it.
According to thehindu.com, an Indian news website: "A 53-year-old man, who recently got admitted to a plush corporate hospital in Banjara Hills for COVID-19 treatment, was charged nearly Rs20 lakh(Dh97192) for 23 days of treatment. What’s more, his medical insurance claim was approved for just around ₹7.5 lakh(Dh36442); he had to pay the remaining amount of Rs12 lakh ( Dh58315) from his pocket. This can be avoided if the government decides a slab on the hospital charges and exercises control over pricing at corporate hospitals."
Many people who commented on the post highlighted how the government of the Indian state of Kerala is not charging coronavirus patients and is treating them free of cost.
Reportedly, in Kerala, only government hospitals are allowed to take in COVID-19 patients, and the entire treatment is done free of cost. Medical supplies, kits and medicines related to the treatment are provided free of charge to patients.
Like many others, Instagram user @akshayasantosh posted: "Come to Kerala, it's free."
Kerala has also been repeatedly praised for their preparedness to handle the pandemic. The state had started preparing for Covid-19 cases much before the central government announced precautions. Kerala opened its state control room on 24 January, after a meeting with the rapid response team the day before. The state government insisted that all of the 14 districts start their control rooms immediately, and it was this preparedness that helped Kerala.