Question : LEVY OF USER CHARGES

(a) whether the Government has recently permitted the All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS) to levy user charges on patients for their tests and medical investigation;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether some Central Government hospitals in Delhi have also taken a similar decision;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether there is opposition to this move in certain quarters;

(f) if so, whether the Government is considering to review its decision; and

(g) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. PANABAKA LAKSHMI)

(a) to (g) The user charges for diagnostic and specialized procedures in Government Hospitals including AIIMS is subject to periodical revision. The recent exercise for rationalization of charges in AIIMS was carried out after a period of more than 10 years to ensure free treatment to more number of poor and needy patients. In this exercise, a total of 1250 cases of charges for tests, procedures etc. have been rationalized. Charges for over 400 new tests and procedures have been introduced. In respect of another 400 tests, the charges have been increased due to increase in cost of consumables. In the case of over 380 cases, the charges have been left unaltered and in about 40 cases charges have been reduced. Some stakeholders have raised concerns on the effect of the revised charges on the poor people . The concerns have already been taken care by fully exempting the poor people from payment of charges. Besides, all patients admitted in the emergency wards are provided free treatment irrespective of their economic status. The procedure for exemption of charges is also very liberal and simple, as the treating faculty is empowered to recommend exemption of charges. At this juncture, there is no proposal to review.