Shocking Hike: Assam State-Run Hospital User Fees Surge in August | Urgent Guwahati News Update
User Fees in Assam’s Government Medical Colleges Set for Increase
Guwahati: Assam’s government medical college hospitals are set to increase user fees soon. The state government has empowered hospital management to revise the current rates. The changes will be implemented in phases, starting from the first week of August, affecting services priced between less than Rs 100 and over Rs 3,000. A proposed hike of at least 20% may impact low-cost medical services, relied upon by economically weaker sections.
Dr. Achyut Baishya, principal of Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), emphasized that user fees have been in place since a notification by the Assam government in August 2002. He justified the increase citing inflation and the need for periodic adjustments. Despite ongoing reports suggesting the hike will be effective from August 1, Baishya clarified that no decision has been made to increase fees at GMCH as of now.
Government officials reassured that even with the increase, the user fees in government hospitals will remain significantly lower than those in private hospitals, often at least 50% less. This adjustment aims to address financial sustainability and expansion challenges faced by these hospitals.
In other related news, Delhi University has also announced fee hikes for several courses, framing it as an annual adjustment necessary for financial planning. The increases have sparked criticism, with concerns about addressing loan repayments and the commercialization of education. Similar hikes have been applied to undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs, affecting both domestic and international students. Fee waivers are available for economically disadvantaged students.
This professional handling of the fee revisions aims to maintain affordability while ensuring the sustainability of essential healthcare and education services.
Original Story https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/user-fees-at-state-run-hospitals-expected-to-increase-in-assam-from-august/articleshow/112151472.cms
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