BENGALURU: The Congress government, which promised to uplift the standard of living for the people of Karnataka through various guarantees, has instead placed an additional burden on the state’s citizens. In a move that raises serious concerns about the government’s commitment to public welfare, the state has implemented a price hike in the medical services at government hospitals in the city.
The Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI), which oversees several prominent government hospitals in Bengaluru, including Victoria Hospital, Vani Vilasa Hospital, Minto Hospital, Super Specialty Hospital, and Trauma Care Centers, has revised the rates for a variety of medical services. A recent order has mandated the implementation of these increased rates for treatments, surgeries, blood tests, scans, and other hospital services, effective immediately.
Particularly alarming is the steep rise in medical costs, ranging from 50 per cent to 100 per cent across various services. These hospitals, which were once seen as a beacon of affordable healthcare for the underprivileged, are now becoming increasingly out of reach for the common man. The rate hikes are a significant blow to the many families who rely on government hospitals for their medical needs.
Here are the revised rates for services at government hospitals under Bangalore Medical College:
- OPD Registration Fee: Previous Rate: Rs 10, New Rate: Rs 20
- Inpatient Admission Fee: Previous Rate: Rs 25, New Rate: Rs 50
- Blood Test Charges: Previous Rate: Rs 70, New Rate: Rs 120
- Ward Charges: Previous Rate: Rs 25, New Rate: Rs50
- Waste Management Charges: Previous Rate: Rs 10, New Rate: Rs 50
The Impact on Common People
Although seemingly modest, these increased rates add up to a substantial financial burden for families already struggling with the rising cost of living. With the middle class and economically disadvantaged sections of society depending on these government hospitals for their medical needs, this price hike is a direct attack on their access to affordable healthcare.
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Moreover, these hikes come when many are still grappling with the economic repercussions of the pandemic. For a significant portion of the population in Bengaluru, these hospitals have been a lifeline, offering treatment at subsidised rates. This very lifeline has been made more expensive, pushing many to either defer treatment or seek care from expensive private healthcare institutions—further exacerbating the financial strain on families.
The Government’s Broken Promise
The Karnataka government’s promise to improve the standard of living and make healthcare more accessible seems to be at odds with the reality of these price hikes. While guarantees were promised to the people, the latest move reflects the government’s disregard for the welfare of its most vulnerable citizens.
For many, these hospitals were a crucial part of their healthcare needs, providing essential services at affordable rates. By hiking these rates, the government is sending a clear message that the welfare of the people is not its top priority. Instead of making healthcare more accessible, the government is creating additional obstacles for struggling people.
It is time the government re-evaluates its policies and recognises the impact of these price hikes on the common man. Instead of burdening people with increased medical costs, the government should focus on making healthcare more affordable and accessible to all. A government that claims to stand for the people must take responsibility for its actions and ensure that the most vulnerable citizens are not left behind in the quest for better healthcare.
This latest price hike in government hospitals blatantly disregards the people it was meant to serve. The Congress government must reconsider this move and take immediate action to reverse the price hikes. Access to healthcare should never be a luxury, but a basic right for all citizens, regardless of their economic status.
Govt decides treatment costs across the state
After the hike, the state government decided to revise the treatment costs at primary health centres (PHCs) across the state. This decision follows a similar revision of medical treatment rates at hospitals under medical colleges in the state earlier this week.
Speaking on the matter, Health Minister Dinesh Gundurao clarified that the revision of treatment costs is not intended to generate funds for the government’s guarantee schemes. He stated that treatment costs are revised every two to three years, and a revision is scheduled this year. Post-revision, the treatment costs at PHCs are expected to increase by approximately 15 to 20 per cent.
This revision at PHCs follows several other price hikes implemented by the Karnataka government in recent months:
- Liquor Taxes: The state government increased the excise duty on liquor by 20% last year, with a 10% increase in the excise duty on beer.
- Motor Vehicles: The registration fees for newly purchased vehicles saw a 3% increase.
- Stamp Duty and Registration Fees: The government also increased stamp duty and registration fees for property transactions by Rs. 200 to Rs. 500.
- Seeds: The price of agricultural seeds has increased by 50 per cent to 60 per cent.
- Fuel Prices: The price of petrol and diesel was hiked by Rs. 3 per litre.
- Milk Prices: Nandini Milk prices were also increased by Rs. 2 per litre, with the price of half-litre packs rising from Rs. 22 to Rs. 24.
While these price hikes are intended to address the growing fiscal challenges and meet the demands of various sectors, they have put additional pressure on the average citizen, especially in the context of rising healthcare costs. The latest revision of treatment rates at Primary Health Centers is expected to impact those who rely on affordable healthcare services. Despite the government’s assurances that this is a periodic adjustment, there is growing concern about the cumulative effect of these price hikes on the cost of living in the state.
Further Impact on Healthcare: The ongoing rise in healthcare costs, including medicines and treatments at government hospitals, concerns the general public. As the government revises treatment costs, it remains to be seen how this will affect patients facing financial constraints in accessing healthcare services.
Supply of 250 types of medicines halted
Meanwhile, Due to delays in the tendering process, the supply of over 250 essential medicines has been temporarily halted in government hospitals across Karnataka. This delay has resulted in a continued shortage of crucial medications, affecting patients in public healthcare facilities.
Medicines like Albumin, Ampicillin, Levothyroxine, Vildagliptin, Paracetamol, Neostigmine, Sublotolol, and Astroprine, among others, are currently unavailable in government hospitals. The issue has been attributed to the delayed tender process, which has disrupted the timely procurement of these vital medicines.
However, health department officials have refuted claims of a complete shortage. They clarified that the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation (KSMSC) has faced delays in calling for tenders for medicine procurement. In response, the state government has allowed local procurement for 44 essential medicines and other supplies to ensure that the hospitals can continue functioning.
As a result, district-level committees have been tasked with local purchases to meet the immediate needs. According to health officials, Emergency medicines are also available in stock, with around 70% of the required medications still in supply.
In response to the ongoing situation, Health Minister Dinesh Gundurao assured that there is no shortage of medicines in health centres across the state. “When our government took over, only about 40 per cent of the medicines were available through the Medical Supplies Corporation, and the remaining medicines had to be bought locally. Now, nearly 75 per cent of the required medicines are being supplied through the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation,” Gundurao stated.
