Herald: What is aim in charging non-Goans at GMC?
Dr Sivanand Bandekar: This was a government decision and I think the government wants to recover some revenue from this so that they can deliver better. The rate which the government has proposed is not a big charge, it’s a small charge. What I know is that they want to charge 30 percent of the DDSSY rates. In terms of the queue system a lot of people have said that it’s a good decision, basically local Goans felt that somewhere they were being deprived and not being given attention.
Herald:What happens in case of an emergency for a non-Goan patient? Also do you think it’s not a fair decision to charge non-Goans at GMC?
Dr Bandekar: We have made it very clear that GMC will not charge for any emergency. All emergencies will be treated free of cost, everybody who comes to casualty, whether semi or dire emergency, he or she will be given absolutely free treatment. It is not fair and unfair, somewhere we have been putting crores of rupees, and also our budget crossed Rs 300 crore, so somewhere we have to get the raw material.
Herald:What do you think will be different after implementing this new plan?
Dr Bandekar: Right now only the separate queue system has been made and no one is charged at this point of time. Charging will come into force as per the directives of the government from December 1, most probably as the files have also been moving and Health Department is working on the rates.
Herald: How do you establish who is Goan and Non-Goan? Also how does the patient prove that he is a Goan?
Dr Bandekar: We have asked the government to give us in detail what are the documents to be checked. Right now we are checking Aadhaar card, voter ID, driving license and passport. There are government directives also that people to be called local should have five years of residence proof. In terms of proving, he or she can get a photo ID or residence certificate from the mamlatdar. To be frank we have not received any directives of which ID is to be used but as per the policy decision it was decided to issue residence certificates of five years.
Herald:Which are the treatments to be charged, only super speciality or everything? Also what do you plan from the money that is earned from this and will Goans be exempted from the Rs 50 registration fee?
Dr Bandekar: All treatments will be charged, only in case of emergency, the treatment is free of cost. The money that is earned through this will be used for better facilities at GMC that is what I think is the motive of the government. The minimum registration fee of Rs 50 might continue because there no directives of that yet. Right now Rs 50 is paid by Goans for registration but after that if they have DDSSY card everything is free.
Herald:How many non-Goans visit GMC per day and what is the OPD capacity? Also what is the income expected from charging outstation patients?
Dr Bandekar: Daily we see about 1500 to 2000 patients of which I personally see that 10 to 15 percent patients are outstation patients. In terms of earning, we should earn a sizeable amount to run the infrastructure to ensure getting the raw material. This is a difficult question to answer. Currently we are charging only for private wards and we are earning quite a bit. Charges in private rooms at GMC are at par with private hospitals and still we see people occupy them.
