Assam: Government Hospitals Hike Rates of Tests by Up to 75% From Aug 1

The Assam Health Department has revised the fees for at least 107 services and tests, citing the increased costs of reagents and a need to align with market rates

Treatment at government-run medical colleges and hospitals in Assam has become significantly more expensive following a hike in the rates of medical tests by up to 75% from August 1.

The Assam Health Department has revised the rates for at least 107 services and tests, citing the increased costs of reagents and a need to align with market rates.

As per reports, a vitamin test will now cost Rs 1500, up from the previous rate of Rs 1200. A thyroid test has been increased to Rs 800 from Rs 600, and the cost of a lipid profile test has risen to Rs 500 from Rs 365. Registration fees in state-run hospitals have also been doubled to Rs 20 from Rs 10. At the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), the fees for a paying cabin have been hiked to Rs 1200 from Rs 1000.

GMCH superintendent Abhijit Sharma while addressing the media said, “Our committee examined that haemoglobin tests cost Rs 400-500 in private clinics, while we previously charged only Rs 20 or Rs 30. Now, we’ve increased it to Rs 200. Similarly, blood sugar tests that cost Rs 300-400 privately were priced at Rs 30 here; we’ve raised it to Rs 60. The increment is very rational, considering the fourfold increase in reagent costs,” Sharma stated. He also mentioned that individuals unable to afford the increased prices could seek discounts directly from the hospital office.

The fee hike impacts a range of services, with prices now ranging from less than Rs 100 to over Rs 3,000. As per reports, service fees are charged as per the government rules of 2002 and are subject to periodic adjustments.

Government hospitals have the discretion to determine the specific costs for various services.

A visitor to GMCH expressed concern over the hike, stating, “Even if Rs 100 is increased, it will affect the common people because the elite classes do not go to GMCH.”

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