Ranchi, Jan. 11: The management of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) is determined to implement the hiked fees for pathological tests conducted at the hospital despite opposition.

The RIMS management is apprehensive that vested elements, in league with some unscrupulous staff, are allegedly fanning agitation against it for increasing the fee for such tests.

“We will soon start charging the new fees for pathological tests. Our existing rates are cheaper than what private labs charge. And the new prices would also be lower than the fees in private labs. We will implement the new fees after we get the go ahead from the state government,” said a senior RIMS official.

RIMS had recently revised the cost for tests. But before it could be implemented, there was a furore from various political parties and organisations, forcing the hospital to withhold implementation.

The state government has assured to look into the issue. The government would be soon convening a meeting in this matter, said a source, but the date for the deliberation is yet to be decided. “During the meeting, the health department and RIMS officials will try to convince the government that the hike was necessary,” he added.

RIMS director N.N. Agarwal said once the new fees are decided, it would be displayed at the pathological test wing. “This would help patients and their relatives know how much the tests cost. We want to make the system transparent,” he said.

Sources said the display was necessary as touts, allegedly with some hospital staff, take patients to private pathological labs by lying to them that costs are higher at RIMS.

“There is a well-organised racket involving touts and some staff who are thriving on this illegal business. These elements are alluring patients to undergo such tests at private labs. By displaying the rates we can inform the patients about the charges so that these vested elements are unable to dupe them,” said an official of the hospital.