26 July,2010 10:08 AM IST | | Alifiya Khan
Hike in electricity bills is major reason to hike tariff; much hinges on power tribunal's verdict next month
The adage about an ounce of health being better than a ton of gold may ring true to Punekars now more than ever.
Most city hospitals plan to hike bed charges and other medical fees in a few months.
A few hospitals have already introduced minor changes in tariff.
The reason? Inability to incur losses, especially as hospitals have to face a hike in electricity rates, cost of transportation, rising cost of equipment and consumables.
Medical Director of Sancheti hospital Dr Parag Sancheti said a 10 per cent hike in hospital charges was likely.
"It is true that hospital costs have gone up. Compared to what we spent on maintaining the hospital a few months ago, we're now spending at least 20 per cent more," Dr Sancheti. "This is mainly because of electricity charges which have been hiked. In fact, it was one of the most prominent subjects on the agenda of our hospital's board meeting."
Chief Executive Officer of Ruby Hall Clinic, Bomi Bhote, agreed that astronomical electricity charges were a major reason to hike charges for patients at the hospital.
"Firstly, we are charged a commercial rate for electricity, which is twice as much that charged to normal consumers," said Bhote. "As if that were not enough, prices of equipment and consumables are rising."
Bhote said they had approached the power regulatory tribunal appealing that electricity costs be lowered. The tribunal is likely to give its verdict on August 7.
"If the ruling is not in our favour, we might have to hike charges," said Bhote. Though he did not specify a fixed amount, he said tariffs could possibly go up anywhere between 10 and 15 per cent.
At Jehangir Hospital, theu00a0 hike is already taking place. Medical Superintendent Dr Prasad Mogrikar confirmed this, but did not specify the hike in rates.
"I'm aware that charges have gone up but I don't know by how much. The hike is not too much, just nominal," said Dr Mogrikar.
With MiD DAY enquired with doctors at the hospital, they said the tariff has been risen by an average of around 15 to 20 per cent.
Subtle charges?
On the other hand, while some hospitals agreed that hospital maintenance costs had gone up, there would not be any hike in tariff for now.
Like Inlaks Budhrani Hospital, Meera Hospital and Gupte Hospital.
"At least, for the moment we have no plan to hike charges," said Dr Asha Rewlani, medical superintendent of Inlaks hospital.
A senior surgeon, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that a few hospitals had been clandestine in upping their tariff by including hidden costs.
"There are a couple of hospitals that have introduced hidden costs like charges for visits from hospital doctors," said the surgeon. "Like for instance, when a patient is admitted to a hospital, another specialist apart from his treating doctor visits the patient and the charges for the visit are almost on par with what one would pay as a day's charge for a single air-conditioned room's bed charge."
