ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Health Regulatory Authority (IHRA) has directed health facilities to display charges of services after finding major discrepancies in initial rates communicated to the patients at the time of admission and during final billing.

The letter, sent to all health facilities, available with Dawn, stated that the IHRA had received complaints and it had also observed during inspections of the health facilities that initial and final rates communicated to the patients were inconsistent which had caused huge inconvenience for them.

“In view of the said observations, the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority directs all healthcare establishments (HCEs) of Islamabad that the price list/tariff list of all the services being provided in the

HCEs should be duly available at receptions of all healthcare establishments and will be provided to patients/attendants on demand. It should be legible and readable for the attendants of the patients,” it stated.

The letter also stated that all healthcare establishments were required to share a copy of the tariff list with the IHRA office within five working days.

An official of the IHRA, requesting not to be named, said it was found that a number of private hospitals of the federal capital state cheaper rates for the services but bill double the amount in the end.

“We want to make sure that no patient would face financial loss.

So it has been decided that all hospitals display their rates and will also provide a copy to patients to avoid the chances of over-billing,” the official added.

He also suggested that patients lodge complaints regarding health facilities with the IHRA so appropriate action could be taken.

Published in Dawn, Aug 2nd, 2023