The recent decision by the Karnataka government to increase the fees for medical care and diagnostic tests at institutions operated by the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) has sparked considerable concern, particularly among low-income residents who rely heavily on these services.
Charges for a broad range of hospital services, from childbirth to forensic investigations, have seen escalations of up to 20 percent. This fee hike affects prominent facilities in Bengaluru, including Victoria Hospital, Minto Hospital, Vani Vilas Hospital, the Super Specialty Hospital, and the Trauma Care Centre—all managed under the BMCRI umbrella.
According to a notification from BMCRI, this fee adjustment was carried out following consultations with representatives from the concerned hospitals and Minister for Medical Education, Sharan Prakash Patil.
An official at Victoria Hospital informed South First that the hike constitutes “only 20 percent from the existing charges,” which now impacts all departments significantly.
However, analyzing the fee increases reveals that certain charges have soared well over 100 percent. For instance, the cost for a single-bed special ward has jumped from ₹750 a day to ₹2,000. Those admitted to special wards will also face a 40 percent extra charge for hospital procedures on top of the ward fees.
Increases in costs are evident across the spectrum; for instance, procedures for patients in deluxe wards have seen a six percent hike, while daily charges for general wards have surged from ₹15 to ₹50, representing a significant rise.
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Pay more for deliveries
A relative of a patient shared her concerns with South First: “We were already spending over ₹3,000 for a delivery,” recalling her first grandson’s birth where the hospital staff pressured them into paying at least ₹2,000 before they could leave. They would inquire, ‘Kushi ge enu ilwa?’ suggesting tips during childbirth.
Lakshmamma, whose daughter-in-law Padma is pregnant, voiced her anxiety: “Now, with the increased charges, I have no idea how much more we will have to pay.”
For a normal delivery, Padma will now need to fork out ₹1,000; if an episiotomy is necessary, it’ll run her ₹1,080, and if forceps or vacuum extraction is performed, it will cost ₹1,320.
Given Padma’s low blood pressure, the possibility of requiring a Caesarean section heightens her worry, as the cost will now be ₹1,600, an increase of ₹300 from the previous charge of ₹1,300.
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Ward charges and certificates
The recent hike in hospital service fees reveals troubling disparities: charges for single-bed special wards have soared by 166 percent, twin-bed wards by 33 percent, procedural charges by 30 percent, and general ward fees have increased by an astonishing 233 percent. Additionally, registration fees have been doubled, reflecting a significant challenge in maintaining public health accessibility.
Such disproportionate price escalations create substantial financial barriers, especially for low-income families that frequently lean on government hospitals for their healthcare needs.
While the Karnataka government defends the hikes as necessary revisions, critics warn that these steep increases could dissuade vulnerable populations from seeking timely medical attention, exacerbating existing inequities in access to essential health services.
The cost implications extend deeply; for instance, a patient opting for a twin-occupancy special ward will now pay ₹1,000 for the room, an additional ₹500 for post-operative care, ₹1,500 for ICU step-down area, ₹100 for diet counselling (previously free), ₹50 for diet (previously complimentary), and an additional ₹300 for a copy of medical records (which was previously ₹250).
Moreover, hospital procedures will incur an additional charge of 30 percent for patients, while anaesthesia costs have been pegged at ₹1,000. In single and deluxe rooms, patients will pay an extra 40 and 60 percent respectively for procedures.
Certificates have also been hit by an overall increase of ₹50, impacting costs for various documents, including post-mortem (up from ₹250 to ₹300), medical fitness (₹250 to ₹300), medical board (₹350 to ₹500), and wound certification (₹250 to ₹300).
The fee for child psychiatry certificates has been raised as well, now set at ₹240 from ₹200.
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Burden on bereaved families
In a distressing turn, embalming services, once complimentary, will now incur a charge of ₹1,500. The previously free freezer service will now cost ₹1,500 per day for inpatients and ₹2,000 daily for bodies transported from outside facilities.
Given the challenges families face with funeral expenses, these increased rates compound an already significant burden, especially when post-mortem or storage services are legally required.
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Impact on low-income families
For families already struggling financially, these new charges are crippling. Many turn to government hospitals as private institutions remain economically unfeasible. The imposition of fees for embalming and freezer storage may demand difficult sacrifices or lead families to unregulated services for help.
Critics contend that the introduction of high fees for forensic services could lead to ethical dilemmas and logistical obstacles. Legal procedures often necessitate post-mortem examinations and embalming, compelling families to confront the heightened charges.
Additionally, skyrocketing freezer storage fees may prompt illegal practices or corruption as families search for cost-effective alternatives. “This is not just a financial burden; it creates opportunities for exploitation,” one health activist cautioned. “Grieving families are the last group who should be subjected to such challenges.”
Although the government tries to frame the fee increases as necessary adjustments, families and healthcare advocates find the costs to be both unjust and excessive.
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Minister assures action
Medical Education Minister Patil has pledged to investigate the new rates and to reassess them if they are deemed excessively high.
“I was informed that revisions have not occurred for many years, and a minimum of 7 to 8 percent increases have typically been implemented. If exorbitant hikes have taken place, I will definitely review and adjust them accordingly,” he assured South First.
Interestingly, a proposal to increase rates across all government hospitals is currently pending with the health department. So far, only KC General Hospital has seen an approved price rise.
A source within the health department indicated that this fee hike may soon extend to other government hospitals as well.
In a recent media statement, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao dismissed claims by HD Kumaraswamy that the increase in hospital charges is a direct result of the state’s financial constraints affecting service guarantees.
(Edited by Majnu Babu)
How might the rise in funeral-related service fees impact families coping with the loss of a loved one in Karnataka?
**Interview with Health Expert Dr. Anjali Rao on Karnataka’s Increased Medical Charges**
**Interviewer (I):** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Rao. The Karnataka government’s recent decision to increase medical fees at BMCRI hospitals has been met with considerable criticism. What are your thoughts on how these changes will impact low-income families?
**Dr. Anjali Rao (D):** Thank you for having me. The fee increases are particularly concerning. For low-income families, who may already struggle to afford healthcare, these hikes create significant barriers. Many of these families rely on government hospitals because private healthcare is simply not an option for them economically. This decision can exacerbate existing inequities in access to essential health services.
**I:** Can you elaborate on the specific services that have seen the most significant price increases?
**D:** Absolutely. We’ve observed dramatic increases, particularly in charges for special wards. For instance, the single-bed ward fee skyrocketed from ₹750 to ₹2,000. Other services, such as a normal delivery, have also seen substantial hikes—from ₹1,300 for a Caesarean section to ₹1,600. All of these increase the cumulative burden on patients and their families.
**I:** It seems like this affects a wide range of hospital services. How do you see this impacting patient care and hospital operations?
**D:** These price hikes might deter patients from seeking necessary medical care due to cost concerns. Moreover, as families are forced to make difficult decisions about which services they can afford, we may see a rise in delayed medical treatment, ultimately leading to poorer health outcomes. Hospital protocols may become strained as staff cope with increased demand from those unable to afford these new prices.
**I:** There have been reports about increases in fees for funeral-related services as well. What implications do you see this having on bereaved families?
**D:** The recent changes in charges for embalming services and freezer storage for deceased individuals are particularly tragic. Families already dealing with the emotional burden of loss now face additional financial strain. The fees for these services, which many people may not have prepared for, can lead them to seek unregulated options, which could pose ethical dilemmas and risks to public health.
**I:** Critics argue that this will lead to further ethical challenges, especially when it comes to forensic services. What are your thoughts?
**D:** Yes, that is a valid concern. Legal proceedings often necessitate post-mortem examinations and forensic analyses. Increasing fees for these services could lead to situations where families opt not to access legal medical examinations, potentially undermining justice in cases of suspicious deaths. It poses a moral and logistical challenge for the healthcare system.
**I:** Thank you, Dr. Rao, for your insights on this critical issue. It appears that the implications of these fee increases will be far-reaching for many families in Karnataka.
**D:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we raise awareness about these changes and advocate for fair access to healthcare for all members of society.
