Egypt sets cost limit for treating Covid-19 patients in private hospitals
The country’s Health Ministry has set a daily cap of LE10,000 Egyptian pounds (approximately US$620) for treating coronavirus patients at private hospitals
The latest move comes after the Ministry reported complaints over ‘prices not in line with costs for services at these hospitals’.
As such, the Health Ministry has imposed a top-tier payment of LE7,500 to LE10,000 (up to approximately $620) for patients in intensive care and who require a ventilator, and a maximum of LE1,500 to LE3,000 (up to approximately $190) for patients in isolation and not in an ICU or on a ventilator.
The Minister of Health Hala Zayed said in a statement that these prices cover the services, supplies, doctors, nursing and accommodation in full, alongside tests and x-rays.
Hospitals & Healthcare notes that increased healthcare costs related to Covid-19 are increasing elsewhere, not just in Egypt. In India, private hospitals are reportedly increasing treatment costs due to the additional PPE and sanitisation measures required for Covid-19 patients; while in Malaysia, a hospital recently received a fine for overcharging a coronavirus patient.
The vast majority of the Covid-19 patients being treated in these scenarios are foreign nationals, so are we seeing instances of private hospitals charging international patients more than local patients? It wouldn’t be the first time.