The Jaffna Magistrate’s Court has fined two medical institutions a combined Rs. 400,000 for breaches of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act, in cases brought by the CAA’s Jaffna District investigation officers after inspections carried out in July.
Northern Central Hospitals (Pvt) Ltd in Thirunelvely was fined Rs. 300,000. During a raid on July 29, investigators found expired eye surgery medicines, expired Ether Liquid and Hydrogen Peroxide, and expired surgical equipment. The institution pleaded guilty to three charges and was fined Rs. 100,000 on each count.
New Sun Rise Medi Clinic on Navalar Road was fined Rs. 100,000 for breaching CAA Direction No. 67. An inspection on July 14 found the clinic charging Rs. 550 for a Full Blood Count test, above the approved maximum fee of Rs. 400. The clinic pleaded guilty.
The court also issued a special order under Section 60(6) of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act directing that details of both judgments be published in newspapers, to raise public awareness of consumer rights and regulatory compliance.
The Consumer Affairs Authority sets maximum fees for a defined list of laboratory tests at private healthcare institutions, and enforces them through periodic inspections and prosecutions before magistrates’ courts.
Sources: Daily Mirror.
