In a significant relief for the residents of Uttarakhand, the state government has announced a reduction in fees for outpatient department (OPD) and inpatient department (IPD) registrations in government hospitals. This reduction also extends to ambulance and bed charges. The move, approved by State Finance Minister Dr. Premchand Agarwal, aims to alleviate the financial burden on the general public, especially in the hilly districts of the state.
Due to the challenging geographical and economic conditions in Uttarakhand, many residents rely heavily on government healthcare facilities. Recognizing this dependency, the state government has decided to reduce medical service fees to make healthcare more affordable.
New Fee Structure
– OPD Charges:
– Primary Health Center: Reduced from Rs 13 to Rs 10.
– Community Health Center: Reduced from Rs 15 to Rs 10.
– District and Sub-District Hospital: Reduced from Rs 28 to Rs 20.
– IPD Charges:
– Primary Health Center: Reduced from Rs 17 to Rs 15.
– Community Health Center: Reduced from Rs 57 to Rs 25.
– District and Sub-District Hospital: Reduced from Rs 134 to Rs 50.
– Ambulance Charges:
– Minimum charge for up to 5 kilometers: Reduced from Rs 315 to Rs 200.
– Additional distance per kilometer: Reduced from Rs 63 to Rs 20.
Furthermore, registration fees will be waived for patients referred from a Primary Health Center to a Community Health Center and from a Sub-District Hospital to a District Hospital.
Dr. Agarwal also announced that the annual 10% increase in user charges will be halted. Instead, the user charges will be reviewed every three years to ensure they remain fair and affordable for the public.
This initiative by the Uttarakhand government is set to be implemented soon, promising significant financial relief and improved access to healthcare services for the people of the state.
