If one is admitted in a private hospital, the patient is entirely at the mercy of the hospital as far as the number of diagnostic tests, investigations and procedures are concerned. It is a known fact that a CT-Scan is an expensive test. All these diagnostic tests, investigation and procedure could add to the final bill presented to the patient and his near ones as he/she is discharged. Not to mention the high cost of sleeping on a hospital bed.
As a matter of fact ‘Transparency India’ also reportedly ranks healthcare system in the country as the second most corrupt institution in the country after the police. This is indeed cause for concern. Now all these tests could well be a thing of the past. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have reportedly decided to start an initiative called Society for Less Investigative Medicine (SLIM). The move aims to put an end the growing menace of excessive medical investigation, starting with cardiology. A study has also reportedly shown that annual general health check-ups are unnecessary and add enormously to the health-care costs without any commensurate benefits. Such tests many a times do not make any sense. It is a known fact that there is an unholy nexus between doctors and testing laboratories and diagnostic centers. Such tests reportedly have no effects on total mortality or mortality due to cardiovascular disease or cancer.
Society for Less Investigative Medicine (SLIM) aims at raising its voice over over-investigation as many of the tests are absolutely unnecessary and adds to the cost of medical care of the patient. Under SLIM, AIIMS cardiologists would reportedly be drawing up guidelines so that patients can verify what circumstances warrant what kind of diagnostic tests, investigations and procedures as there is no regulation or audits to determine if they are necessary.
It must be said that this initiative by the top cardiologists of AIIMS led by Prof Balram Bhargava of the cardiology department of AIIMS is a step in the right direction as it can curb the rampant corruption in the health sector. It is pertinent to note that as per a report in the US there is a law which prohibits a doctor from referring a patient for tests to a diagnostic clinic if the doctor or immediate relatives has financial interest in the diagnostic center. Why don’t we have such laws in our country?
(The writer is a freelancer based in Vasco.)
