PANJIM: From December 1, non-Goans will probably have to pay 30 percent of the charges finalised under the Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana for treatment in State government hospitals.
The expert committee appointed by the government has proposed to levy 30 percent of the DDSY charges, subject to approval by the Health Minister and Chief Minister.
Speaking to Herald, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane confirmed this saying the department is still working on the same. “The committee has proposed 30 percent of the charges listed under DDSSY and in all probability we will start charging from December 1,” he said adding, “These are very nominal charges considering DDSSY charges itself are very less.”
The committee is headed by Additional Secretary (Health) and has two Under Secretaries (Health), GMC Dean, GMC Medical Superintendent and Director of Health Services as members.
Rane justified the move saying that as Health Minister of this State it is his duty to give the best health facilities to the residents of the State. Last week Rane initiated two queues at the Out Patient Department (OPD) counters for Goans and non-Goans at Goa Medical College, which received mixed reactions.
“If you see at OPDs at GMC or any other hospital, non-Goans, who come only for treatment from Karnataka and Maharashtra, are up there at 4.30 am for the queue and Goans are left far behind. I am not the Health Minister of Karnataka or Maharashtra and my priority is locals,” he said.
Substantiating his move, Rane said that this is no discrimination. “We will be charging only 30 percent of DDSSY which is far below par. Even Maharashtra charges Goan patients,” he explained.
Asked what proof of identification one will have to provide, he said, “Any photo identification showing residence proof. Even Goans who cannot provide identity or address proof will be charged.”
He explained the need for such a move saying the State is spending a huge amount only on medicines. “The annual medicine bill itself is over Rs 60 cr. With this money we can give even better facilities to patients and start new super speciality treatments etc,” he said.
However, he clarified that in case of an emergency the patients will not be charged. “I have given a free hand to doctors that if they feel a patient is poor, they can decide on charging him or not,” he stated.
