Private Hospitals
In a significant move to ensure compliance with the Legal Metrology norms and protect consumers from fraudulent practices of erring traders, the Legal Metrology Department (LMD) has taken action against a Punjab-based Jammu private Hospital chain based in Jammu at Greater Kailash.
The Hospital, claiming specialization in orthopedic surgeries and bone related treatments, has been fined by LMD for conducting transactions using non-standard unit of measurement which is not in consonance with the law. The hospital was found guilty of violating provisions of the Legal Metrology Act, which mandates a set of accurate information, and the use of standard units of measurement in all commercial transactions, including medical devices.
The instant case came to light following a special inspection conducted by a team of Legal Metrology Department Jammu District on the directions of the Controller Legal Metrology Department J&K, Anuradha Gupta for regulating commercial transactions in the healthcare sector as well and to enforce the compliance of the Legal Metrology Act/rules to protect against fleecing of the consumer by the Hospitals, ensuring fair trade practices.
During the investigation, it was discovered that the hospital was using non-standard units of measurement in its billing for medical services and devices. Discrepancies were particularly noted in transactions related to the quantity (in terms of weight, measure, or number) of surgical materials or dressing supplies used during the surgical procedures, and as reflected in the patient billing.
