Minister intervenes in ICU and ventilator rate hike; government has not taken decision: Veena George

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister Veena George said that the ICU ventilator rates will not be increased in the state's medical colleges. The minister informed that the government has not decided in this regard and clarified that the current rate will remain the same.

Meanwhile, Superintendent Dr. A Nizarudeen announced that the revised rates for ICU and Ventilator in Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital will be withdrawn. These are free for all except APL card holders. ICU fees were temporarily suspended during the outbreak of Covid-19. It was decided to resume the hospital fee on the previous day.

The 34 per cent increase in ICU-ventilator fees was a blow in the back for patients seeking treatment at the medical college hospital. The revised fee was Rs 500 for ICU and Rs 1000 for ventilator. The rate hike was done under the guise of revitalization of rates post-Covid. Before Covid, the fee was Rs 330 for ICU and Rs 660 for ventilator. The rates were hiked by the Hospital Development Society (HDC).