Govt hospitals can retain user charges: Mohindra
AMRITSAR: The Punjab government has allowed government medical colleges and hospitals across the state to retain user charges in the interest of welfare of hospitals and patients.
Speaking during an event to mark the World Hepatitis Day here on Saturday, health, medical education and Research minister Brahm Mohindra said that the state government, in a recent notification, has allowed hospitals to use the money collected from patients for improving medical education and patient care.
“Earlier, the medical colleges and hospitals were attached with the government and user charges collected from patients were deposited in the state exchequer. The money thus collected was sanctioned to hospitals, but used to take time. But now, the money will be deposited in the hospital account and authorities will be able to use it as per their requirements.”
User charges include outpatient department (OPD) registration fee, diagnostic tests in various departments, radiology charges, in-patient care and room rentals.
In another notification issued on Friday, the state government has met demands of re-employed doctors in government medical colleges and hospitals. “Earlier, the re-employed doctors were getting basic pay plus grade pay in addition to pension. Now, they will get last pay drawn minus pension, apart from regular pension,” said the minister.
“Besides, the re-employed faculty has also been allowed summer and winter vacation, 20 casual leaves and 20 academic leaves,” he said.
“The government has also issued instructions to re-employ retired faculty of government medical colleges or from other central institutions. The colleges can issue advertisements inviting applications after getting approval from the directorate of research and medical education, Punjab,” said the minister.
The health minister further said around 50,000 patients are suffering from hepatitis in Punjab. “Free treatment is available for patients in 25 government hospitals across the state for which ₹28 crore has been released,” said Mohindra.
Turning the focus on drug menace, the minister said: “Like terrorism, drug menace is also an international conspiracy against Punjab.”
THE MINISTER SAYS STATE ALSO TO REEMPLOY RETIRED DOCTORS IN GOVT MEDICAL COLLEGES