Coming up at Kidwai: 'Rich' block for poor patients

The state-run Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology is looking at the ‘Robinhood’ tax system model to fund the treatment for the poor.

Those who can afford will be provided special treatment at nearly double the existing prices with better facilities with the establishment of a special block. Money generated here will be used to improve facilities for the poor.

The block will offer facilities which the hospital authorities claim will be on par with the leading private hospitals. An estimated Rs 30 crore has been set aside for the block to be housed above the State Cancer Institute building.

C Ramachandra, director, Kidwai hospital, told DH 180 to 200 more wards have been proposed that will have dedicated staff working round the clock.

“We will maintain the standards of staff to patient ratio proposed by the Medical Council of India. If need be, we will also outsource the nursing staff to maintain the ratio,” he added.

In the block, the wards will be air-conditioned. There will be separate nursing stations and also specialists will visit the patients at the bed.

“There is an impression that government hospitals are meant for the poor. We have the best equipment. Yet, people think otherwise. We want to give the institute a facelift. The rich look at the ambience and we will provide it to them. If you are willing to shell out more, you will get the facility,” said Ramachandra.

This is being planned on lines of Jayadeva Institute of Cardio Vascular Sciences and Research.

The maximum charges for a bed are Rs 1,250. Other beds are for BPL patients that are free of cost. These are housed in the Shantidhama and Aniketana buildings.

In the new block, prices would vary between Rs 2,000 and Rs 5,000 per day subject to the facilities. If the cost of one session of radiotherapy is Rs 96,000 for those with BPL cards, others will have to pay Rs 2 lakh.

The difference in amount will be used to improve facilities for the poor. “The rich will have to pay more for the facilities and this money will be used for the everyday needs of the poor. Even under government schemes, poor patients will have to pay beyond a limit. The amount will be adjusted here,” he said.