Service tax for AC hospitals draws flak from doctors

“This is a very thoughtless step,” said Dr Zora Singh,president,Indian Medical Association,Chandigarh chapter. “The government cannot understand the psyche of patients. A patient who is already suffering from a critical disease should not be bothered any more. This tax should be taken back immediately.”

Col. H S Chehal,Director,Fortis Hospital,Mohali,said: “The introduction of service tax is a retrograde step that further burdens the consumer and sends the wrong signal on the government’s approach to healthcare”.

Dr Raj Bahadur,Director principal,Government Medical College and Hospital,Sector 32,expressed satisfaction over the increase in budget for GMCH. But he,too,was quick to add that public sector hospitals need to grow. “It is a known fact that when a middle income group patient goes to a private hospital,he is reduced to being a poor patient due to the cost of the treatment,” he said. “There is a dire need for primary and secondary healthcare facilities to be strengthened so that tertiary care hospitals like PGI can look after specific patients.”

Dr Prabhjot Singh Bhatia,COO,Alchemist Hospital,Panchkula,said: “This is not a patient friendly budget,as the increase in service tax will ultimately have to be passed on to the customer,which will deprive patients of quality care at affordable price.”