Patient inflow to private hospitals dips, government sector witnesses surge

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As most of the government hospitals in the state are accepting Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes despite the hullabaloo following the demonetisation move, the inflow of patients to private hospitals has come down by 50%. Also, it has led to a sudden surge in number of people approaching the government hospitals.
"Even though the inpatients are not having any problem, the inflow of patients to the OP wing has come down considerably,'' said Dr G Vijayaraghavan, vice-chairman of KIMS Hospital.He said almost half of the patients at the hospital pay the bills in cash.
"The first three days following the demonetisation of high-denomination notes were difficult as only less than 20% of the people have either insurance or reimbursement from workplace and 15% paid through debit/credit cards," noted the cardiologist.
There were reports that many patients could not get better treatment and facilities due to lack of liquid money.
A death has also been reported from Karunagappally, where the patient could not be shifted on time to a better hospital due to lack of cash in hand.
Son of the deceased, Sreejith Kunjachan, has put a Facebook post blaming the financial situation in the country.
Dr A Marthanda Pilla, chairman of Ananthapuri Hospital, said, "We have directed the staff to issue OP tickets to all and no one should be denied treatment because of the monetary situation. We have also started accepting cheques."
The government sector remains unaffected. "Since the rates are low as compared to private hospitals and treatment is free for the BPL patients, the demonetisation move has not affected the government sector,"said Dr A K Raoof, general secretary of Kerala Government Medical Officers Association.
Also, many government doctors, who practise in private too, have been offering consultation without taking any money. "We cannot deny treatment just because they do not have money in hand. Also, most of them are regular patients," said Dr N Sulphi, ENT specialist at Chirayinkeezhu Taluk Hospital.