HOW PATIENTS ARE FLEECED
UNNECESSARY TESTS
Typhoid: Infection shows up after the fifth day of symptoms, but doctors prescribe tests every alternate day TB: A basic sputum test is sufficient, but expensive tests like TB Gold and TB Platinum are prescribed. Sink tests: Blood and urine samples collected are thrown down the sink and a normal report is given Healthy pregnant women are prescribed haemograms, kidney function and liver function tests. MRI and CT Scan are prescribed for routine headaches. Unnecessary tests for infertility treatment. When an X-ray of a single tooth is sufficient, X-rays of several teeth are taken to inflate bills The more expensive the test, the more frequently they are prescribed
UNNECESSARY PROCEDURES
Quick caesareans are done so that gynaecologists don’t spend 14-16 hours looking after the patient. Hysterectomies are recommended after frightening patients with talks of cancer. Elderly patients with insurance are unnecessarily advised cataract surgeries Patients on death bed are unnecessarily put on the ventilator to inflate hospital bills
INCENTIVES AND GIFTS
Pharma companies, path labs and hospitals offer incentives for expensive medicines and procedures. They offer gifts and foreign junkets to promote sales of their medicines. Doctors in corporate hospitals are given monthly “targets” to boost revenue through surgeries Ambulance and auto drivers are given commission for bringing patients to hospitals.
SOLUTIONS
Improve public health delivery to force private practitioners to offer medical care at cheap rates Introduce standardised rates Promote not-for-profit hospitals Introduce universal health coverage Regulate the private sector and pharma industry Promote use of high-quality generic medicines