MKCG medical college in Berhampur

Berhampur, Nov. 26: Diagnostic tests at MKCG Hospital are going to become costlier. The hospital authority has formally decided to revise the fee structure for 43 different tests and has submitted a proposal for the state government’s approval.

“We are increasing the fees as costs of chemicals and others necessities have escalated. We have also forwarded the proposal to introduce eight new clinical tests, including glycoside haemoglobin test for diabetic patients that costs about Rs 800 at private nursing homes. The test will cost anything between Rs 400 and Rs 450,” said Ashok Kumar Behera, superintendent of MKCG Hospital.

The decision to hike users’ fee was unanimously taken at a meeting of the Zilla Swasthya Vikas Samiti on Monday. The meeting was presided over by revenue divisional commissioner (southern division) Bikash Chandra Mahapatra.

The hospital charges patients for diagnostic findings including X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan and various pathological and microbiological tests.

“Though the users’ fee for various tests would cost more, it would continue to be cheaper when compared to private facilities in the city,” he said.

Ram Kumar Patra, BJP town president, has opposed the move.

“There is no justification to increase the fees. Mostly poor patients and people living below poverty line visit the government hospital. Patients from BPL families are exempted from paying users’ fee. Most of the departments, excluding surgery, gynaecology and medicine, run with a thin staff. We will oppose the move,” Patra said.

Prabhat Kumar Mahanty of Janabhab, a social organisation, said there was no need to increase users’ fee at MKCG. “The amount collected through users’ fee has not been spent properly. A big chunk of the amount collected through users’ fee is being spent towards payment of private security guards. Equipment bought with users’ fee are not utilised properly,” he said.