Tamil Nadu Government signs orders for public display of patient information in Medical Institutions

The directive requires all medical establishments in the Tamil Nadi state to publicly display patient details, treatments and billing information at their respective establishments. This, they said, is to promote correct patient information access and keep them in the dark regarding their treatment expenses.

The order is that of the state health department and applies across Tamil Nadu: both government and private hospitals will now have to give patients detailed and transparent bills comprising a clear breakup of medical procedures, medicines, and other healthcare costs. Hospitals are also asked to mark the rights of patients including that of informed consent, confidentiality, and respect within the hospitals.

According to the officials, the new rule is part of the wider effort towards making the medical sector more transparent and making health institutions accountable for ethical practices. "This is a big step towards ensuring patients proper care and full knowledge as regards treatment and expenses. It will contribute massively to transparency in the healthcare sector and will empower patients to make informed decisions regarding their health," said a senior state health department official in Tamil Nadu.

It came as a result of several cases regarding bills that seem non-transparent in hospitals; many patients and families have complained about overpricing and paying for nebulous expenses. This will ensure that the information concerning treatment and the expenses will be easily accessible, and it is expected that such an action will terminate the malpractice in medical billing and develop trust between the two parties.

However, even as patient rights activists hailed the development as a landmark decision in health sector transparency, concerns were sent forth by a few private institutions regarding the logistics involved in implementing this directive. Still, to the satisfaction of most advocates and patients, the directive is considered a step in the right direction.