Govt hospitals may hike rates

Days after private hospitals say tariff increase likely due to high input costs, govt healthcare establishments echo sentiment

After private hospitals proposed a hike in tariffs to cope with rising input costs, government hospitals are
also planning an upward revision of fees for medical services and diagnostic tests that are today offered at nominal rates.

Hike not for poor
The hike is being proposed only for middle-class patients and not those below the poverty line (BPL), said Dr Pravin Shengare, joint director of the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER).

"The BPL patients will continue to be treated free. But we are seeing if we can hike the consulting and diagnostic charges for patients who can afford it," said Shengare. "For this, we have asked deans to get details of charges at their hospital as well as the average cost of the same services and tests at private hospitals in the city, which will help us arrive at the correct rates to be charged."

MiD DAY had reported on July 26 that many private hospitals in the city were considering a hike in hospital fees citing the increased costs of running hospitals.

Decade of no change
Shengare said the cost of healthcare services had not been revised for a decade at government hospitals.

"With time, new technology has been purchased. Cost of consumables like reagents, detection kits, gloves used on a daily basis has gone up four times, as have electricity and diesel charges," said Shengare. "So we need to consider if we can hike the tariff structure to match up to the costs."

Sassoon hospital Dean Dr Arun Jamkar, a member of the committee deliberating on the hike proposal, said the proposal was at an early stage. "Yes, it's true that a hike in rates is being considered," said Jamkar.