Karnataka Hikes Treatment Charges at Bengaluru Govt Hospitals, Sparks Concerns Among Citizens

Bengaluru: Karnataka government in a big move increased fees of government hospitals by 10 to 15 per cent under Bengaluru Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI).

list includes some prominent names like Victoria Hospital, Minto, Vani Vilas and Super speciality hospitals.

Congress-led state government issued a notice detailing updated charges stating with immediate effect.

key changes include doubling price of outpatient department (OPD) registration from Rs 10 to Rs 20. A similar increase was me in inpatient mission charges, which will now cost Rs 50 inste of Rs 25.

Meanwhile, blood test charges have risen from Rs 70 to Rs 120, ward charges will now cost Rs 50 and not Rs 25. hospital waste management charges saw steepest hike, rising from Rs 10 to Rs 50.

Health Minister Defends Move

Following this move, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao defended it saying, "We are revising user fees that were decided long ago. In certain areas, we have increased m by 10% or 20%. For example, charges that were Rs 10 have been revised to Rs 20, and those that were Rs 20 are now Rs 50. This is not a burden on people; se are affordable prices. refore, it is not a big issue."

Even previous governments have revised charges for water bills, electricity bills, and many or services. comparison is irrelevant, as rates h remained unchanged for many years. We have only increased m slightly, that’s it,” Rao ded.