NEW DELHI: Treatment at AIIMS is likely to get costlier. The institute, in its latest proposal to the standing finance committee which meets on Tuesday, has proposed a hike of nearly 20-30% on its charges for various tests and procedures, including all heart surgeries.

For example, according to the proposed changes, closure of atrial septal defect, a birth defect, would cost Rs 46,000 for general ward patients and Rs 70,000 for patients admitted in the private ward. The existing package rate for ASD closure is Rs 40,000 and Rs 57,000 respectively for the two categories.

AIIMS spokesperson Dr Amit Gupta said the package rates are meant only for patients who do not fall in Below Poverty Line category. "Those who can afford should pay. We are not charging anywhere near market rate," he said.

AIIMS has also proposed to revise the package rates for various treatment and procedures conducted at its dental centre and it has proposed to include new tests in department of paediatrics on chargeable basis. A faculty member, who did not want to be named, termed the move regressive. "In a poor country like India, where most people cannot afford treatment at private hospitals, how can the state absolve itself of the responsibility to provide health facilities? If AIIMS becomes even half as costly as the private hospitals, 90% of patients will not be able to afford treatment," said a doctor.

Some faculty members also questioned the legitimacy of the standing finance committee to consider the agenda. "The standing finance committee mostly comprises ex-officio members," said a senior faculty member.

Sources said the idea to make AIIMS self-reliant or run it on a revenue generation model had been proposed in 2005 and 2010 but was shot down by members of parliament and doctors, who felt it would affect poor. In 2010, AIIMS initiated a study to determine user charges for various services. The circular asked for the list of all procedures with respect to which user charges could be fixed.

The SFC meet on Tuesday will also discuss award of work of Rs 505 crore for National Cancer Institute in Jhajjar, setting up of burns and plastic surgery unit at the trauma centre and procurement of MRI machines. The proposals will then be sent to the institute body and governing body, for final nod.

