MoU for medical concessions to NRIs
Tuesday, 14/05/2013
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130514/punjab.htm#15
Ludhiana : With an aim to promote medical tourism in the state, the government is asking reputed private hospitals to provide health facilities at discounted rates to non-resident Indians (NRIs).
"Private hospitals are being approached by the state health department for signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state government. Once a hospital signs the MoU, it would be impanelled to provide subsidised treatment to NRIs. The hospitals have been asked to provide 10 to 15 per cent concession to NRIs for any kind of treatment. NRIs will be issued a privilege card for availing the facility," said a source.
Health treatments are very costly in foreign countries and the waiting list of patients is too long. Therefore, a majority of the NRIs prefer to get their treatment in India.
The Medical Superintendent, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, said, "I got verbal instructions about this from a health officer today. We have been instructed to sign an MoU for giving 10 per cent discount to NRI patients."
A senior doctor of another private hospital said, "It is ironical that NRIs, who can easily afford any treatment, will be given discounts. Instead, extra money should be shelled out from them and discounts should be given to poor and needy patients."
Promoting medical tourism
- Private hospitals are being approached by the Health Department for signing an MoU with the state govt
- Once this is done, the hospital will be impanelled to provide subsidised treatment to NRIs
- The hospitals will then give10 per cent to 15 per cent concession to NRIs for any kind of treatment
- The NRIs will be issued a privilege card for making use of the facility
"It is ironical that NRIs, who can easily afford any treatment, will be given discounts. Instead, extra money should be shelled out from them and discounts should be given to poor and needy patients." — Senior doctor in a Ludhiana hospital
