VISAKHAPATNAM: The King George Hospital (KGH) Development Society’s decision to enhance the rent charged for special rooms by 400 per cent has kicked up a storm. The rent had remained unchanged for 40 years, with patients having to shell out just `100 per day. The management took the call to raise the price in a desperate bid to meet the hospital’s maintenance requirements. The rent now is `500, which even by current standards, is quite low, given that few rooms and lodges are available for the amount. The cost of medicines and operation theatre and surgery charges (which have been doubled) must be borne separately. KGH charges `1,000 for caesarean operations (previously it is `500) and `500 for normal delivery (previously `250).
There are 10 special rooms at the Gynaecology Ward and 17 special rooms. “If a pregnant woman admitted to a special room here has a caesarean surgery and is discharged only after 8 days, she has to pay ` 5,000. This is an exorbitant amount for the poor,” a bystander at the hospital not wishing to be named said.
Several patients and their relatives who were unaware of the hike in charges threw a fit when they were given their bills. KGH Superintendent Dr G Arjuna said, “The hospital development society took the decision after a meeting presided by the district collector. In fact, most of our patients are white card holders (NTR Vaidya Seva) or government employees (having government health scheme coverage). The two sections need not worry about the enhanced fee at all,” he opined.
Meanwhile, Principal Secretary of Health & Family Welfare Poonam Malakondaiah visited the KGH and conducted a review meeting. Health Department officials including Director of Medical Education (DME) Dr E Babjee inspected various blocks in the hospital and warned of strict action against employees who come to work in an inebriated condition.
The Principal Secretary enquired about the RFId system installed in the Gynaecology Block. RFId tags helps in the prevention of infants being stolen. She instructed hospital authorities to use hospital development society funds to improve infrastructure in JGH.