Paediatricians’ fees increase by 30% for kids six and younger

BEIJING: Fees for medical treatments and examinations of children aged six and younger were raised by 30% in Guangzhou recently as a way to keep the city’s paediatricians from quitting their jobs.

According to a notice issued by four city government departments at the end of April, the higher fees cover 408 kinds of treatments and examinations for children.

“The increase in fees aims to overcome the difficulty in seeing paediatricians and to encourage more medical students to become paediatricians,” the notice said.

“The price increase is also expected to encourage state-run hospitals to provide even better medical services to children.”

An ordinary diagnostic fee for a child was increased from 10 yuan to 13 yuan (RM6 to RM9). A tonsillectomy rose from 520 yuan to 676 yuan (RM323 to RM420).

Gong Sitang, deputy president of the Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, said the policy is people-oriented, as it allows paediatricians to feel respected.

“Paediatricians usually have to be more careful and face heavy pressure in seeing child patients because some children are too young to speak or can’t clearly describe their symptoms,” Gong said.

Gong said the price hike will not increase the burden of patients or parents who enjoy medical insurance or who are covered by the country’s healthcare system.

“Most of the children’s medical expense are actually paid by the government and insurance companies,” he said.

Fang Zhuohong, a Guangzhou office worker, said she hoped the higher fees would make it easier to see paediatricians. But not all people applauded the move.

“The price hike will increase the burden for myriad migrant workers who come from outside the city,” said one Guangzhou resident, who refused to give his name.

“Many of them don’t have local medical insurance and have not yet been included in the healthcare system.”