Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MD)

Mangaluru, Aug 27: Dr Yusuf Kumble, managing director of Indiana Hospital and Heart Institute Limited on Wednesday August 26 clarified about an incident of a patient holding a BPL card which had been reported in the media.

Addressing a press meet, Dr Yusuf said, "A young patient named Mohammed Sharif was admitted at Indiana Hospital on Saturday August 22 evening following a heart attack. As the patient was dying in the emergency room, we decided to go for urgent angioplasty and stenting as a life saving procedure.

Meanwhile, a group of his relatives and friends reached the hospital in Innova car and requested the doctors to do the procedure urgently. As they could afford any amount, they asked for a private room and the best quality stent. However, hospital authorities informed that the total cost would be approximately Rs 1,30,000. They signed the high risk consent form, agreeing to pay Rs 1,30,000 and requested the hospital to proceed. The procedure was carried out and the patient was saved.

"But none of the patient's relatives revealed that they possess BPL card. The next day a few people came with BPL card and ordered the hospital to bring the treatment into BPL scheme. As a private patient cannot be converted to BPL scheme, hospital authorities informed their inability to do the same. The by-standers threatened the hospital that they would not pay a single rupee and that other hospitals will never be able to collect money from them as they have political influence. They then complained to health authorities and asked for suspension of the hospital," Dr Kumble said.

"Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST) executive director suspended the hospital without even a preliminary inquiry of the incident. They also released a statement to the press to the effect. Indiana Hospital is planning to file a case against this patient to recover the hospital expenses as he is admitted as a private patient in semi private room," he added.

Informing about the scheme that gives covereage to BPL card holders, he said, "The reality of government scheme for BPL card holders is that it gives coverage only for 420 procedures. There are more than 10,000 commonly treated diseases. There is quota for BPL beds in hospitals, and only 25% of the general wards are allotted to particular department. Once the patient opts for higher category of accommodation there is no option to convert it into BPL category."

"The Vajpayee Arogya Scheme promoted by the government of Karnataka is helping a lot of deserving poor people to get quality health care in private hospitals. However some of the well-to-do patients are seeking benefits under the scheme and private hospitals find it extremely difficult to manage such undeserving people," he added.

"Private hospitals' association had a meeting on August 26 in connection to this and decided to submit a representation to the health minister and other officials requesting to take necessary action to address these kind of issues.

"We request Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust to deal with these types of people sternly so that poor patients are the real beneficiaries. Otherwise, private hospitals will be forced to discontinue this well meaning scheme," he said.

Explaining about the BPL scheme and the coverage, Dr Yusuf said that the scheme does not cover higher facilities. "Before or during the admission of the patient, the relatives of the patient must inform us that they are covered under the BPL scheme. It is not our policy, it is an order from the government."

Dr Yusuf said that the all the private hospitals have planned to stop the treatment given under the BPL schemes until the higher authorities take action against those who harasse private hospitals.

Bhaskar Aras, media co-ordinator and others were also present.