KMC to introduce new service charges to combat financial crisis

Committee proposed a 50-100% increase in fees at all KMC-run health facilities

KARACHI: The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) is planning to introduce new service charges in all KMC-run hospitals to generate more revenue in order to overcome the current financial crisis.
According to sources, a seven-member committee, constituted by the Medical and Health Services Department (M&HSD) of KMC, has presented its recommendations to Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar and others for their approval from City Council.

The committee was led by Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases (KIHD) Executive Director Dr Asadullah Hussaini and other members including KMC Medical Committee chairperson Naheed Fatima, KMC Medical Services former director Nadeem Asif, Abbasi Shaheed Hosptial Medical Superintendent Dr Nadeem Rajput, KMC Finance & Accounts Department Account Officer Waqar Ahmed Kohatti, Internal Audit Department Additional Director Abdul Aziz and KMC M&HSD officer Aijaz Muhammad.

The committee members have reviewed the rates of services provided by the KMC hospitals and also compared rate lists with other public and private hospitals. The aim to constitute the committee is to enhance the revenue of hospitals to overcome the financial burden on KMC health facilities.



The committee members proposed a 50-100% increase in service charges in all KMC-run health facilities to generate revenue.
They have proposed an increase in the out-patient department (OPD) fees, charges for surgery, laboratory tests, private rooms and other fees of major healthcare centres including Abbasi Shaheed, Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases, Sobhraj Maternity Hospital, Spencer Eye Hospital, Rafiqui Shaheed Hospital and other hospitals.

Sources said that the cost of various medical equipment, meals, medicines and surgical tools have increased in the last five years; therefore, recommendations have been moved to the relevant authority for approval.

Dr Asadullah Hussaini said that there was no specific allocation of funds from the government for repairing and maintenance of equipment, surgical disposals and other medical items; therefore, new recommendations have been sent to KMC M&HSD for approval. He added that committee members have also reviewed the list of service charges of other public and private hospitals.