Government Medical College Hospital prices increased by DMER, Maha

Pune: Rates of investigation, treatments, and surgeries in the 16 hospitals across the state have been revised by the Directorate of Medical Education and Research(DMER) according to a recent media report. The DMER officials are emphatic in their belief that the poor will remain untouched by the revision, as it is meant for those with incomes more than Rs. 1 lakh

“The charges have been raised by 10 to 20 percent from this month and some of the institutes have already started following it. More than 70 percent of people coming to these hospitals are provided treatment almost free of cost as they belong to the derived class. There are 25 to 30 percent patients who are actually charged. So, the burden of the expenses will be borne by this segment of people, who are rich and capable of paying,” DMER Director, Dr Pravin Shingare,told Pune Mirror adding, “The DMER department is running losses as the decision is coming almost after eight years and the hike is only up to 20 percent. The income certificate and ration card will be valid proof of availing free treatment at our institutes. The letter, along with the revised rate chart, has been issued to all the government-run medical colleges five days ago. It has been issued to Pune based BJ Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital as well.”

According to observation, people who are unable to afford private clinic expenses are the ones who visit government-run health hubs for both treatment and surgeries.

As hospitals run by the public health department are not able to provide specialized treatment or super specialty doctors, patients crowd hospitals managed by the government medical colleges that offer specialized treatment expertise.

With the DMER’s decision to revise rates, services like investigations, treatments, diagnostic tests, minor to major surgeries will come at a price, reports Pune Mirror.

The price for medical certificates issued by government hospitals has also received a hike.

According to the new DMER notification, costs of case paper, diagnostics ambulance services, and even surgeries of infants will be increased.

These new charges will be applicable in 16 hospitals of Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, and Aurangabad among others.

The DMER reiterates that those who have an annual family income of more than Rs 1 lakh are the ones who will have to pay now and not the ones below the poverty line or with an annual income below Rs 1 lakh, and meant to receive free treatment or treatment on subsidized rates.

Dr Ajay Chandanwale, Dean, BJ Medical College, and Sassoon General Hospital, told Mirror, “The current charges for investigations, laboratory tests, surgeries, and treatment are the existing ones prescribed by the government. We are yet to receive the order from the DMER’s office. Once we do, the rates will be implemented immediately. There are categories of the patient for whom we provide treatment free of cost or at subsidized rates, according to the government guidelines. They are expected to be exempted from the revised charges. The hospital will follow the revised charges and the boards displaying the charges of the service will be also changed.”