Doctors will have to display their consultation fees or charges of any kind on boards outside their clinics, if the government has its way.
To ensure welfare of patients and to create more transparency, the state health department wants to add these rules in the upcoming Clinical Establishment Act, 2010, which is expected to be imposed after the winter assembly session.
Doctors have, however, objected to the proposal saying it would be embarrassing to display their fees on boards.
The act will lay down guidelines that medical practitioners will have to follow while setting up clinics. For the past two years, the government has been keen to implement the act across the state.
Since doctors are reluctant to follow even central government guidelines, the state health department set up a panel to review the act. The committee is headed by the chairman of the state's medical council, Dr Kishor Taori. Other stakeholders from the medical fraternity like private hospitals and NGO representatives are part of the committee.
Once implemented, this act will be binding on all doctors — Allopathic, Ayurvedic and Homoeopathic. There are more than 100,000 doctors practising in the state.
At present, super speciality doctors in South Mumbai charge anywhere between Rs1,200 and Rs3,500 for first consultation. One cardiac surgeon charges about Rs5,000. But rates vary across the city. Officials expect doctors to bring down their fees once the act is implemented.
"A final decision on the matter is expected soon," Satish Pawar, director, directorate of health services, said. "We are not bothered about how much they charge. But they should display their charges... patients should know these details before going for consultation."
While admitting patients, some big hospitals clearly tell them about the various charges they might have to pay. But small nursing homes or clinics rarely do that.
"Discussions are on. Once the act is finalised, everyone has to follow it," Taori said.
Dr Anil Pachnekar, dean, Indian Medical Association, questioned the government's motive behind such a move. "We cannot understand what they want to prove... Why doesn't the government ask CAs and lawyers to display their fees?" he asked.
A health department official said many doctors feel it is insulting to display their consultation fees.
Dr Shashank Shah, president, Obesity Surgery Society of India, said patients will go for treatment whenever and wherever they feel like. "We perform several surgeries and it is not feasible to display the various charges. How is it going to change a patient's life if we display our charges on the notice board?"
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