Kerala: Card payment facility introduced by Government College

Thiruvananthapuram: Community payment counters, CT scan, MRI scan and HDS labs have been facilitated with a card payment facility by the Medical College authorities in collaboration with the SBT Medical College branch. This has been done to overcome the financial crunch that has arisen due to demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currencies, so that patients can seek treatment without having to worry about the payment method.

The credit card facility is to be extended to all other hospital counters early next week.The newly introduced credit and debit card payment facility was inaugurated together by SBT Medical College, Branch Manager Dileep Kumar and Medical College, Superintendent, M S Sharmad. The medicines at the community payment counters are available at discounted rates between 25% and 60%.

Meanwhile, the Kerala state Human Rights Commission(KSHRC), has asked for a report from the Director, Health Services, and Superintendent, Medical College regarding measures undertaken by the authorities towards patient comfort with demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currencies upsetting payment modes.

The commission has sought the report on the basis of a complaint filed by social activists PK Raju.