Different govt hospitals charge different rates to patients in Kashmir: DAK

Srinagar, Jan 09: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) has expressed serious concern over the exorbitant rates being charged to patients in hospitals run by Directorate of Health Services Kashmir.

In a communiqué, the spokesperson of the association said that it is surprising that different rates are being charged in different hospitals run by the same government, thus giving free license to administrators of these hospitals to charge people at their will and wish.

Giving an example of a simple, the spokesman said X-ray which costs just Rs 70 at SKIMS is charged around Rs 150 to 200 in District hospitals of the valley, similarly huge discrepancy has been found in other laboratory investigation also, Liver Function Tests (LFT) done in district hospital costs 200 while as same is being charged at 40 rupees only at SKIMS or SMHS. People are being looted and free drug and free investigation slogan of the Government is being thrown to the wind.

It is pertinent to mention that the Government in the year 2017 had issued a circular where it was clearly mentioned that 17 investigations had to be done free of cost at Government hospitals however they said it was being violated till recently by hospital administrators and people where being illegally charged for the same.

Govt’s tall claims of delivering free health care services at the doorstep fall flat when such issues remain unresolved and remain in standby mode for the reasons better known to authorities.

DAK stresses upon the Government for uniform and affordable rates in all hospitals across the state. Furthermore, DAK urges the Government to take Stern action against those officers and officials who have violated government orders and circulars from time to time in this regard.

DAK further demands that Govt. should execute the Free Drug & Diagnostic policy in letter and spirit and not to keep it confined for cosmetic purposes which have led to immense problems to the general public and to issue strict orders in this case so that poor patients avail the benefits of health policies.