Department of Health planning to enforce uniform medical charges at Gov Hospitals

The Department of Medical and Health is planning to enforce uniform user charges (medical and clinical charges) at all government hospitals and medical colleges of the state from January.

The user charges are different at government hospitals and medical colleges in the state. These are usually affected in January on the recommendations of the management committees of government hospitals headed by the District Magistrates.

With the announcement yet to be made this time around, it seems the department is planning to bring uniformity in rates, thereby, suggesting the hike may not take place.

Secretary, Department of Health and Medical, said that the department was looking into the issue and the various aspects were being deliberated to bring uniformity in user charges from 2018. “We have sought suggestions from the directorates concerned. Different user charges and the economics behind it are also being looked into. No decision has been taken to hike the user charges, as of now,” said Nitesh Jha.

Notably, all the government hospitals go for 10 per cent hike in user charges and the prescription slip.