Rate hikes in AYUSH treatment: Ayurveda - Siddha treatment fees increased

ALAPPUZHA: The Bharatiya AYUSH Department of Treatment has increased the fees and service charges for Ayurveda, Siddha and Nature Cure. The fee hike will affect tens of thousands of people, including inpatients. The rate hike is applicable to everyone except children up to 12 years of age and BPL children up to 18 years of age. It has not been decided whether the increase will be implemented.

Considering the critical economic situation of Kerala, the Director of the Ayush Treatment Department had recommended increasing fees, fines and service charges in a time bound manner to increase the non-tax revenue of each department. The action was taken following this.

The rates for 44 treatment items and procedures including Pizhichil for rheumatism, Navarakkizhi, Ksheeradhara for pain relief, Dhanyamla Dhara, Shirodhara, Shirovasti, Vamanam for skin diseases including psoriasis have been increased by Rs 5 to Rs 40. The rates for 29 treatments from Pizhichil to Pudapakam have been increased by Rs 20 each. The rates for half a dozen treatments including Snehavasthi have been increased by Rs 30 and for treatments like Niruha Basti and Vamanam by Rs 40 each. The rates for about two dozen treatments in naturopathy have also been revised. The rate for X-ray examination film has been increased from Rs 20 to Rs 50.

Senior House Surgery fees increased sixfold

The fees for the Senior House Surgery Certificate for BAMS passed students have been increased sixfold. The fee for a six-month course certificate has been increased to Rs 3,000 and for a one-year course to Rs 6,000. The fee for a one-year course certificate was Rs 1,000 earlier.

Rate Increase

Treatment...........................................................Current Rate..................Increased

Pizhichil (Sarvaangam) (5 liters)...............................310................................330

Pizhichil (Ardhangam) (3 liters).................................220................................240

Njavarakizhi (Sarvaangam)......................................310................................330

Njavarakizhi (Ardhangam)........................................220................................240

Snehapanam.............................................................80................................100

Elakizhi......................................................................80................................100

Nasyam.....................................................................45..................................50

Thalapothichil ...........................................................35.................................50

Niruha Basti...............................................................60................................100

Vamanam...................................................................60................................100

Ksheera Vasti.............................................................20..................................50

'The Ayush Department has issued an order increasing the rates but no decision has been taken on its implementation'.

- Directorate, Department of Indian Systems of Medicine, Thiruvananthapuram