Charges for services at govt hospitals increased

BENGALURU: Poor families are already facing problems due to inflation and increased prices of essential commodities. Now, the government hospital’s price hike has shocked patients. Free treatment is provided in government hospitals so far, but medical service charges have been increased.

Public TV has done an exclusive report on the issue. There was already an allegation that the government increased prices of various services to raise money for its guarantee schemes. Now, another instance has been added to it. Government hospitals, which come under the Medical Education Department, have already increased the charges. Now, government service prices have increased by 10 pc to 20 pc.

A notice on the revised service charge has been displayed at Victoria Hospital, just in front of the outpatient department.The increased charges on various services are as follows:

The OPD Registration Book charges have increased by Rs 10, from Rs 10 to Rs 20.

Inpatient admission charges have been increased by Rs 25. The previous charge was Rs 25 and is now increased to Rs 50.

The charge for blood tests has been increased by Rs 50. The previous charge was Rs 70 and the new charge is Rs 120.

Ward charges have increased by Rs 50. The previous charge was Rs 25 and is now increased to Rs 50.

Hospital Waste management charges have increased by Rs 40, from Rs 10 to Rs 50.

Patients are expressing outrage over the price hike at Victoria Hospital, the state’s largest hospital.

A hospital visitor, Gadyppa (patient’s atendant) said increased charges on service are not correct. “Poor families will suffer due to this. A surgery has been done for a child of one of the relatives. The charge was Rs 150 and they gave the bill Rs 350. We came all the way from Vijayapura”, he said.

Another man, Natraj said, “We are coolie workers, we cannot afford bills here. The decision has affected a lot of poor people. They are charging half for BPL cardholders. Sometimes it takes a whole day to get our work done”.