Chandigarh 30th April; The PGI Employees Union has taken up the issue of higher hospital charges from patients and public at PGI, Chandigarh in comparison with the charges levied by its sister concern AIIMS, New Delhi with Hon’ble Sh. Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Health Minister.
The Union has informed him that on 29.9.2002, the then Union Health Minister was apprised of the facts on the eve of Institute Body meeting at Chandigarh. He refused to ratify the decsion of SFC dated 28.9.2002 to enhance hospital charges rather passed a resolution that the fee / charge of PGI be brought at par with AIIMS, New Delhi. On 12.5.2003, the Union Health Minister ordered to make a comparative chart of fee/ charges at PGI and AIIMS, New Delhi. On 17.9.2003, the comparative statement was circulated by PGI Administration. It was proved that the AIIMS has not been charging fee for investigations and procedures from General Ward and OPD patients except for few investigations.
Instead of implementing the resolution of Institute Body dated 29.9.2002, the PGI Administration further enhanced the fee /charges of investigations and daily indoor charges by more than 300% (Rs. 35 to Rs. 115 per day). PGI charges Rs. 300 and Rs. 1000 per day, from general ward / emergency and Private Ward respectively shifted to ICU, whereas the AIIMS, New Delhi charge Rs. 1000 from Private Ward patient only and no charge from general ward / emergency patients. No operation fee from General Ward at AIIMS whereas PGI charges 50% or 1/3rd of Private Ward fee from General Ward patients. PGI is charging for ABG test even from Poor Free patients, which is an irony.
The Union has provided the latest list of charges of AIIMS, New Delhi, PGI and the comparative chart of both Institutes to Hon’ble Sh. Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Health Minister.
It is hoped that his kind intervention will bring an end to the discrimination and step motherly treatment and the desired relief to the patients and public of the entire region.