Woman claims hospital demanded flu-testing fee

Workers fumigate playground equipment at Dusit Zoo yesterday to contain the spread of influenza A(H1N1)

The unnamed woman, in a complaint to The Nation newspaper, said a doctor at Sikarin Hospital in Bang Na district said she needed to pay Bt1,200 for the test she had requested and that the expense could not reimbursed through her government medical insurance.

The woman said she sought treatment elsewhere when her flu symptoms still persisted after two days and the doctor did not approve her request for the test and asked her to come back for the third day.

"The doctor told me that a free examination could be done only with the approval of the hospital director," she said.

Hospital director Manassawee Samitsuwan said the case doctors would consider the need to order the 2009 flu test, and in that case the fee could be covered under the patient's social welfare plan.

"But in a case in which the diagnosis confirms the common flu and the patient still wants the test conducted, he or she has to pay for it," he said.

The woman said she insisted on having the test because she wanted to know exactly if she had caught the swine flu during its global outbreak.

"If I had it, it might be too late for me to get treated. Prolonged cases without treatment have contributed to the risk of catching it being maximised," she added.

The complaint has prompted both the Public Health Ministry and the Social Security Office to order separate investigations.

Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai threatened to penalize any hospitals found uncooperative in following the new policy to ensure quick diagnosis of patients with suspected cases of the 2009 influenza.

SSO directorgeneral Pan Wannaphinij said doctors were supposed to automatically approve the test in all cases of patients with suspected 2009 influenza.

Hospitals are required to return the examination fee to all patients who have paid it.

It was a new SSO and ministry policy to speed up the treatment process and shorten the diagnosis period to curb and control the 2009 influenza, he said.

Witthaya called a meeting of all hospital directors in Bangkok on Friday to discuss the issue and work out new conditions for automatic tests.

He said if there were some grounds to the woman's statement, the hospital's practices would hamper the ministry's efforts in fighting off the 2009 influenza.

"I'll whip the bottom of any private hospital found uncooperative with the government's policy on quick diagnosis with any law available. Violators will face maximum punishment," he added.

A Bangkok Post reporter made a similar complaint about him having to pay for treatment for confirmed 2009 influenza at a private hospital in Chiang Mai.

Subin Khuenkaew said the hospital denied his medical benefits and refused to allow him to exercise this right through his wife - a government worker - like he always has.

More than 100 people with flu symptoms have sought hospital treatment each day over last weekend, said Manit Nopamornbodi, deputy public health minister.

During this fiveday weekend, many people are travelling across the country and many teenagers and students are patronising video game shops.

He said six types of people, some with certain illnesses, were at greatest risk of catching the 2009 influenza - those with chronic diseases; those who take regular medication for high blood pressure, diabetes or kidney malfunction; those with low immunity; the elderly; children younger than five; pregnant women and the obese.

Yesterday Thailand confirmed 196 new cases of the new flu, bringing the country's total to 2,272, including 160 children.

In Libya, the public health ministry said a Thai worker contracted the 2009 influenza after he returned from Thailand.

The 52yearold man made a stop in Dubai last Saturday during his trip back to Libya. He is under hospital treatment and now recovering.

In Narathiwat's Rue Soh district, a soldier is being treated for the 2009 flu while two other soldiers are under observation.

The 39yearold NCO was based in Lop Buri and experienced symptoms on July 1 when he arrived at the southern province by train.