PANAJI: Apartment from the treatment at GMC, the State Government has also decided to collect fees from patients at Hospicio, Margao; District Hospital, Mapusa and Sub-district Hospital, Ponda.
The charges to be levied for patients from outside the State would be 20 per cent of the fees prescribed for ‘C' category hospitals in the Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana (DDSSY). The fees would be implemented in two phases - in the first phase, patients would be charged for 181 procedures prescribed under DDSSY and for radiological and laboratory diagnostic services.
Nonetheless, the State Government has also asked GMC and the other three hospitals to strictly implement DDSSY. Accordingly, it would be mandatory for Goans to carry either their DDSSY cards or valid documents as their proof of residence.
The State Government would also charge Rs 50 per bed per day for patients from other states.
"We have set up a counter in the casualty block for collecting the fees from patients from outside the State which will be functional round the clock. We have also decided not to charge emergency cases. In phase I, will charge fees for 181 procedures under DDSSY and a few pathological and radiological tests which have been listed by the State Government", informed GMC Medical Superintendent Shivanand Bandekar.
To make it easier and convenient from patients outside the State, GMC will also provide cashless facilities at the fees counter in a day or two.
However, State Government has decided that poor persons and emergency cases will be exempted from these fees. To decide over the exemption, competent authorities have been appointed to take the final call.
The Health Minister had earlier informed that Goa has had deliberations with Maharashtra to covey them about the decision to charge patients from outside the State, which account to almost 30 per cent of the patients visiting GMC.
The decision to charge patients from outside the State has been taken to ensure that people from Goa get the maximum benefits as far as healthcare is concerned.
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ID proof for Goans
from January 1
1. Elector's Photo Identity Card (EPIC)
2. Aadhar Card
3. Passport
4. Driving Licence
5. DDSSY Card
6. Senior Citizen Card
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