New Delhi, 12 October (H.S.): The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has directed all states and Union Territories to ensure that the rates of healthcare services and facilities available at hospitals and other clinical establishments are prominently displayed. The move aims to provide patients and their families with clear information about the potential cost of treatment, enable them to make informed decisions and reduce disputes related to billing.

Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava wrote to the Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories on Monday, urging them to review compliance with the relevant rules and take the necessary steps to ensure their effective implementation.

In her letter, Srivastava emphasised that information regarding healthcare service charges should be displayed at locations where patients and their attendants can easily see and understand it.

The Health Secretary referred to the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010, and the Clinical Establishments (Central Government) Rules, 2012. Under these provisions, clinical establishments in states and Union Territories where the Act is applicable are required to clearly display the rates charged for each category of service and facility available at their premises.

The information must be made available in the local language as well as in English so that patients and their families can understand the costs associated with treatment.

In states and Union Territories where the Act is not applicable, healthcare institutions are regulated under the respective laws of the state or Union Territory. Several of these regulatory frameworks also contain provisions requiring healthcare service rates to be displayed.

States Responsible for Ensuring Compliance

The Health Secretary clarified that health is a state subject and that the responsibility for implementing and monitoring the relevant regulations rests with the respective state governments and Union Territory administrations.

Accordingly, the Chief Secretaries have been requested to issue the necessary directions to the concerned authorities and ensure effective compliance with the applicable rules at healthcare institutions.

Emphasis on Displaying Treatment Package Rates for Foreign Patients

The Ministry has also taken into consideration the interests of foreign patients travelling to India for medical treatment.

The letter requests states and Union Territories to encourage the prominent display, wherever applicable, of treatment package rates available to foreign patients visiting India on medical and AYUSH visas.

This measure is expected to help foreign patients understand the costs involved before choosing their treatment options and reduce complaints relating to pricing and billing. It will also strengthen efforts to establish India as a trusted destination for medical and AYUSH treatment.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar