Hike in OPD, IPD charges at Bengaluru Govt Hospitals

Bengaluru: The state health department has announced a sharp increase in charges for outpatient (OPD) and inpatient (IPD) services across major government hospitals. The new rates will apply to Victoria Hospital, Vani Vilas Hospital, Minto Hospital, the super speciality hospitals, and state trauma care centres.

This move is expected to severely affect the affordability of healthcare across the state. The revised fee structure follows a meeting with department officials on Tuesday, during which the new rates were finalized.

As per the meeting, several hospital charges have been doubled. As directed by the department, this adjustment will be implemented immediately. 

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According to the announcement, the hospital’s OPD registration fees have been increased from Rs 10 to Rs 20. Similarly, inpatient services will also see a rise, with admission fees jumping from Rs 25 to Rs 50. Ward charges, which were previously set at Rs 25, have also been doubled to Rs 50.

Commenting on this a Health official told TNIE that these changes are part of a broader effort to standardize charges across all government hospitals in the state, particularly those under the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI). The cost of diagnostic services has also been impacted by the new rate structure. Blood test fees, which were previously Rs 70, have risen sharply to Rs 120. Overall, the increases range from 10% to 30%, across various services, reflecting the growing operational costs at these healthcare facilities.

The health department has instructed the Hospital administrators to update the new rates and ensure the changes are reflected in the e-hospital software system immediately.

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These hikes in the new rates are expected to burden patients, especially those who rely on government hospitals for essential medical care. Any increase in service fees could create a financial burden and affect their access to healthcare. However, the health department has defended the decision, stating that these changes are vital for sustaining the hospitals’ operations and providing quality healthcare.
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