The Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology (RIC) has introduced new fees and doubled the charges for medical tests to get reports within a minimum time frame at its Outpatient Department (OPD). The objective of doubling the rates is to expedite the process of obtaining test reports within a short span of time. However, the fees for some tests will remain normal.
Previously, treatment and medicines at the OPD were being provided free of cost by simply providing a card. Now, patients visiting the OPD for the first time are required to pay Rs400 for a file preparation fee and Rs1,000 for a doctor's consultation fee. The decision to increase the charges is aimed at providing test reports to patients in a shorter time frame.
RIC has introduced significant changes to its services, making treatment more expensive and less accessible. Not only have the charges for a few tests and procedures increased, but the number of operations performed has also been reduced. Furthermore, patients are now given long delay dates for operations, causing additional hardship.
Patients visiting the OPD first time will pay Rs400 to generate a medical file and an additional Rs1,000 for a doctor's consultation fee, totalling Rs1,400. Furthermore, two separate fees have been introduced for test payments -- a normal fee and a short-term test report fee.
Patients have the option to choose between these two fees. If they opt for the normal fee, they will receive their test report after a delay. However, if they require the test report in a shorter time, they must pay double of the normal fee. The normal fee for an Electrocardiogram (ECG) is Rs110, an Echo Rs1,150, an Exercise Tolerance Test (ETT) Rs1,700, an X-ray Rs200, a Complete Blood Count (CBC) Rs200, a c-reactive protein (CRP) Rs230, and a Renal Function Test (RFT) is Rs180. However, if patients want to expedite their test reports, they will have to pay Rs220 for ECG, Rs2,200 for Echo, Rs3,400 for ETT, Rs400 for X-ray, Rs460 for CBC, Rs700 for CRP, and Rs360 for RFT. Additionally, evening charges are Rs220 for ECG, Rs1,500 for Echo, and Rs3,000 for ETT.
RIC offers various cardiac operations, including bypass, stenting, valve replacement, Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), and Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (CABG) to treat heart patients.
The institute has also introduced a new policy regarding emergency stent procedures. If a patient arrives at the emergency department requiring a stent, the procedure will only be performed if absolutely necessary and strongly recommended by the doctor. Acting Medical Superintendent Dr Ayaz Haider could not be reached for his version regarding the increase in OPD charges.
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