After four decades, the Tariffs of Vizag- King George Hospital special rooms hiked
VISAKHAPATNAM: The recent decision of the King George Hospital (KGH) Development society on enhancing the Special rooms rent up to 400 % is making ruckus in the public. The hospital has 27 Special rooms for the patients and since 40 years the rent rates were same. To meet the Hospital Maintenance expenditure, HDS has took this decision. Up to the last HDS meeting, rent for these Special rooms is only Rs. 100. After the Hospital administration decided to implement the new rent amounts as per the recommendations of the HDS, it has increased to Rs. 500 now. In fact, for Rs. 500 there is no room available at even any old lodge or hotel in the city.
But, at KGH, these special rooms rent is some what different as the tenants of these Special rooms should also bear the expenses of medicines as well as the operation theatre charges also. HDS also made a nod to increase the Operation theatres fee as well as the Surgery fee in to double. Now the hospital administration is collecting Rs. 1,000 for Caesarean operation (Previously it is Rs. 500) and Rs. 500 from the normal delivery patients (Previously it is Rs 250 only). So, for operation theatre fee, Medicines and this hiked Special rooms rent expenditure, became a burdensome matter to a middle class family and most of the patients came to this hospital belongs to the Middle class or poor.
There are 10 Special rooms at the Gynaecology ward and 17 special rooms at the Superintendent chamber building. Suppose any pregnant lady admitted here and took a special room, if she gives birth to a baby through Caesarean surgery, after 8 days, to go home on discharge they have to pay Rs. 5,000 which is a big amount for the poor families. Some patients who were not aware of this enhanced prices, and when they asked to pay as per the new tariff at the discharge time, they are quarrelling with the office staff about this hiked amounts.
Reacting on the allegations, Dr G Arjuna, Superintendent of KGH has explained that.. 'As per the HDS meeting which was presided by the District collector took the decision and we are collecting the new hiked fee amounts as per the HDS decision. In fact, most of our patients are white card holders (NTR Vaidya Seva), or Government employees (Having Govt. Health scheme coverage). These two sections have the Governments health protection schemes coverage and they need not worried about this enhanced fee as they are not going to pay any thing here." he opined.
Poonam Malakondaiah visited
State Principal Secretary of Health & Family Welfare, Poonam Malakondaiah visited the King George Hospital and conducted a review meeting on Friday and inquired about various issues including the newly implementing Radio Frequency Identification (RFId) tags system, Repairs of the C- arm apparatus in the Ortho wing, Staff shortage, infrastructure development etc. Along with Dr E Babjee, Director of Medical Education (DME) and other staff, Principal Secretary inspected the functioning of RFID system installed at Gynaecology Block. Through this new system, RFId tag will uniquely identify an object, animal or person which in turn prevents the infants thefting incidents at government hospitals. The officials also inspected the Gynaecology department and interacted with patients about the implementation of schemes.
Later in the review meeting, held at the Superintendent chamber, Principal Secretary instructed that strict action to be taken on any employee who consume alcohol on duty. She also instructed the Superintendent and RMOs to take strict disciplinary action against those persons who are in drunken state. Dr G Arjuna, brought the issues of compound wall collapse, bad internal roads etc and She immediately responded positively. 'Use your HDS funds for the construction of compound wall for internal road repair works" she suggested. Responding on funding, she said that.. it will be pursued with the government and will be finalized soon.. she added.
Dy Superintendents, RMOs of the Hospital along with HoD's and the Nursing staff attended.