Patients hit by money trouble in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: A patient was initially denied admission in the emergency ward of the Mahavir Hospital and Research Centre at Masab Tank on Wednesday morning because her family did not have the money to pay for the service in new currency notes. Meanwhile, at the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, patient billing services were hit after a card-swiping machine malfunctioned.   

Those accompanying the 60-year-old female patient admitted to Mahavir Hospital for emergency treatment and the 30-year-old female patient being discharged from NIMS, could only pay using the old Rs 500 notes as they did not have lower denomination currency.

Heated arguments followed the billing troubles between the hospitals’ authorities and the families of both patients. A senior doctor at Mahavir Hospital said that the hospital finally took the money in Rs 500 notes.

“But we have taken an undertaking from the patient that within two to three days she will give us money in lower denomination only. This money is not valid according to  the directive of the central government and we can’t take it.”

The superintendent of the hospital, Dr Avulappa, refused to comment. It must be mentioned that hospitals are allowed to take the old notes. Dr Manohar, director of NIMS, said: “There was a problem as the patient’s attendants wanted to swipe their cash card but there was no proper machine for it. But the problems were soon sorted out. We have told all our administration staff to accept the old '500 and Rs 1000 notes and also cheques. No patient here is being denied treatment for want of any change.”