Cheap healthcare facilities in state-run hospitals for the middle class will be a reality soon, as the West Bengal government prepares to launch private cabins and budget hospitals.
Expenses for hospitalisation in three types of such health facilities have been outlined by the state government which includes private wards in medical colleges of Kolkata, district medical colleges and the budget hospitals which have been built within the premises of the district hospitals.
Double occupancy cabin will be Rs 750 in the district hospitals, Rs 1,000 in district medical colleges and Rs 2,000 in Calcutta Medical College & Hospital, per day. This is considerably cheaper when compared with expenses in top hospitals of Kolkata, which can go up to Rs 4,000-8,000 on an average.
Under this plan, a stay in a 300 sq ft. single cabin of the medical colleges in Kolkata will cost Rs. 2,500 per day and Rs 4,000 per day for the bigger cabins. Cost for similar cabins in district hospitals will be Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,500 per day respectively. There will be an additional charge of Rs 1,000 daily in intensive care units.
Apart from regular expenses, attendants to patients will involve Rs 600 in district hospitals and Rs 1,000 in medical colleges of Kolkata and the districts.
All the budget cabins will have air conditioning, television set, attached washroom, sink, private lockers and sofa. All such cabins will be equipped with bedding for attendants to patients.
However, cost of medicines, medical accessories and all kinds of tests are to be borne by the patient, according to the instructions. Circulars have already been issued by the state health department outlining the expenses under the plan.
The first budget hospital is likely to be opened at Kolkata’s SSKM Hospital. The proposed private wards will soon become operational in Calcutta Medical College & Hospital, M R Bangur and other state run hospitals.
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