Maharashtra Hospitals: Free Healthcare Ends, New Charges Revealed

A recent government resolution issued on January 16 mandates charges for services at all Maharashtra government hospitals, ending a period where many were free or minimally priced. This new policy means patients will face costs for various procedures, ranging from a Rs5 OPD registration fee to a Rs40,000 charge for joint replacement surgery. Daily in-patient admission will cost Rs10, with specific fees set for blood tests, X-rays, CT scans (Rs300-Rs400), and MRI scans (Rs1,600).

The resolution also outlines charges for deliveries, with the second costing Rs50 and subsequent ones Rs250. Hospital room rates are set at Rs75 for non-AC and Rs150 for AC per day, with ICU charges at Rs100. Haemodialysis will be Rs150, and ambulance services will be Rs5 per km. While the government has specified exemptions for certain groups, including government employees and their families, medical staff, and specific legal or correctional cases, many civil surgeons are reportedly confused about the implementation, citing a prior resolution from 2023 that declared all services free.

Health activists are critical of the move, arguing that the nominal charges could be a significant deterrent for the financially vulnerable populations who rely on government hospitals. They point out the irony of free treatment being offered to officials who typically do not use these facilities, questioning the rationale behind charging those most in need.