15 October 2010
By Anuradha Mascarenhas
Hospitals say impossible to manage the huge rush; also unhappy with low rates proposed for treatment
The addional director has written to the Union Health Ministry, saying it is practically impossible to manage patients at only three hospitals. The three hospitals Ruby Hall Clinic, Kotbagi Hospital and Deendayal Hospital have to sign an MoU with the government before October 20 to treat the patients as per modified rates. A huge chunk of the beneficiaries are retired government employees.
The three hospitals are annoyed over the anticipated huge rush of patients and are also miffed over the low rates the government proposes to offer them for the treatment. "We have to sign an MoU as per the new agreement by October 20 but the hospital is in no mood to accept such low rates," said Bomi Bhote, CEO, Ruby Hall Clinic.
Additional director of CGHS, Pune, S R Pashupatimath, said the situation was vexatious as it was not possible to carry out the scheme at only three hospitals. "We have urged the government to look into the matter as soon as possible," said Pashupatimath. The government has also proposed two–tier rates for hospitals accredited with National Accreditation Board of Hospitals and those who do not have the accreditation.
Dr S L Kotbagi, director of the Kotbagi Hospital, said they would sign the agreement as basic services had to be provided to the people. He felt that it was the initial list of hospitals.
KEM Hospital which has been treating CGHS beneficiaries for a long time but had discontinued for the last two years had applied in the e–tendering process. Dr V L Yemul, medical director at KEM Hospital, said they are yet to receive any notice from the government.
Dr J Ravindranath, director at Poona Hospital, said they were treating CGHS beneficiaries for a long time but stopped after the government quoted low rates.
"The rates are too low for the hospital to implement the CGHS," Ravindranath said, adding that they had decided not to apply for the e–tendering process.
"Beneficiaries will be hit the hardest," said Suresh Ranade, retired BSF Commandant and vice–president of the Central Government Pensioners' Association.
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