A private ambulance racket has reportedly intensified at King George Hospital (KGH) in Visakhapatnam, according to Andhrajyothy. These ambulances are allegedly charging exorbitant fees for transporting deceased patients and those discharged from the hospital.
Andhrajyothy states that a large number of vehicles at the KGH gate are part of a syndicate that overcharges for transporting bodies and discharged patients. This organized operation is reportedly renting out ambulances at inflated rates.
Families of patients who die while receiving treatment at the hospital, or those who do not recover sufficiently to return to a normal state, are being charged substantial amounts by private ambulances for transportation to their hometowns.
Andhrajyothy reports that approximately four thousand people visit KGH daily to receive medical services. Additionally, about two thousand patients are admitted as inpatients.
Among the inpatients, those whose health does not improve, or those who pass away during treatment, often have their families resort to private ambulances for transportation to their native villages.
This situation is concerning for residents of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, as it places a significant financial burden on poor and middle-class families seeking medical care at government hospitals like KGH in Visakhapatnam.