THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, Dec 31: Can the registration fees from the Outpatient Department (OPD) and Indoor Patient Department (IPD) help Ayushman Card patients cover the cost of prosthetics required for their treatment?
The MMCH Daltonganj is currently facing a severe shortage of funds under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. As a result, Ayushman Card patients are forced to purchase prosthetics from the market, placing a heavy financial burden on them. Many patients cannot even afford basic items, such as screws needed for bone surgeries.
This issue has drawn the attention of Finance Minister Radha Krishna Kishore, who has expressed deep concern and assured that the matter will be reviewed.
Patient Footfall and Registration Fee Collections
To understand the potential financial solution, The Jharkhand Story correspondent spoke with Palamu Civil Surgeon Dr. Anil Kumar about the OPD and IPD patient numbers at MMCH in 2024.
The registration fee is ₹5 for OPD patients and ₹10 for IPD patients. However, around 2–3% of OPD patients occasionally fail to pay this fee.
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Dr. Anil Kumar states, “More than 2.67 lakh outpatients visited the hospital in 2024, with July recording the highest footfall of over 27,000.”
He further stated, “Similarly, 27,963 inpatients were admitted up to December 30, 2024. The registration fees collected from OPD and IPD patients could be used to alleviate the financial struggles of Ayushman Card holders receiving treatment at MMCH Daltonganj.”
Proposed Financial Solution for Prosthetics
Dr. Anil Kumar estimated that the combined annual collection from OPD and IPD registration fees amounts to approximately ₹13–15 lakh. He suggested that a loan could be taken against this amount under the guidance of the Health Management Society (HMS).
“The loan can be used to procure prosthetics for Ayushman Card patients,” he explained. “This would provide significant relief to these patients.”
When asked about loan repayment, Dr. Anil Kumar clarified, “Once the Ayushman Bharat funds are credited to the hospital’s account, the loan can be repaid. This is not a diversion of funds but a well-structured financial management approach. I believe this solution should be implemented without delay.”
If this proposal moves forward, it could be a major step in reducing the hardships faced by Ayushman Card holders at MMCH Daltonganj.
