FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1983
HOSPITAL AND CLINIC FEES REVISED
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THE GOVERNMENT HAS REVISED A SERIES OF FEES AND CHARGES FOR CLINICAL CONSULTATIONS, INVESTIGATIONS AND TREATMENT FOR PRIVATE PATIENTS ATTENDING GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS.
THE NEW CHARGES, WHICH TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY, ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
COMMENTING ON THE NEW RATES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THE REVISED CHARGES APPLY ONLY TO SUCH ANCILLARY SERVICES AS SURGICAL AND GYNAECOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS, LABORATORY TESTS AND PATHOLOGICAL AND BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS, RADIOTHERAPY, CHEMOTHERAPY, CARDIAC-CATHER ISATION
ETC.
THE DAILY MAINTENANCE CHARGES FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND CLASS BEDS IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL, AT PRESENT AT $240 AND $160 RESPECTIVELY, WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED FOR THE TIME BEING.
+A REVIEW ON THE DAILY MAINTENANCE FEES IS UNDERWAY AND A DECISION WILL BE MADE IN A FEW MONTHS' TIME,+ HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE CURRENT REVISION OF FEES AND CHARGES WILL NOT AFFECT THE GENERAL PUBLIC WHO STAY IN THE GENERAL WARDS OF GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS OR ATTEND OUT-PATIENT CLINICS.
HE EXPLAINED THAT PRIVATE PATIENTS ARE THOSE REFERRED TO GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS OR SPECIALIST CLINICS BY PRIVATE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS AND THOSE WHO OPT TO STAY IN FIRST AND SECOND CLASS WARDS IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS.
THE RATES FOR THE ANCILLARY MEDICAL CHARGES FOR PRIVATE PATIENTS ATTENDING GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS HAVE NOT BEEN REVISED SINCE 1975, WITH SOME AS FAR BACK AS 1972, HE SAID.
+THESE CHARGES ARE NO LONGER REALISTIC AND DEFINITELY INSUFFICIENT TO COVER THE FULL COSTS OF SUCH SERVICES, HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IT IS GOVERNMENT'S INTENTION TO RECOVER IN FULL OR IN PART THE COST OF THESE SERVICES, AND IT IS CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO UPDATE THE CHARGES NOW WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF COMPUTERISED SYSTEMS, WHICH RENDER COSTING EXERCISES MUCH MORE ACCURATE AND EFFICIENT.
HE REITERATED THAT IT REMAINS GOVERNMENT POLICY TO CHARGE NOMINAL FEES FOR PATIENTS IN THE GENERAL WARDS AND THOSE WHO ATTEND THE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WITH A PROVISO TO WAIVE OR REDUCE THESE FEES FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD THEM.
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