THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government is planning major reforms in the working of hospitals and health clinics in the state. From primary health centers to medical colleges, the hospitals will be categorized into different sections and the OP ticket rates and other service charges will be standardized. Primary health centers, medical colleges, and general hospitals will be included in the plan and the OP ticket rates will be consolidated as per the standards of the hospitals.

As of now, it is the hospital committee that decides the price range of OP tickets issued to patients. There are hospitals that charge Rs 2 to Rs 10 for OP tickets. Some committees have appointed surplus workers on a contract basis in hospitals and have made this a reason to increase the OP ticket rates.

The health department was alerted about the issue and the department instantly allowed an expert panel to study the issue. The panel will also look into the need for allowing more categories other than the BPL section to get the benefits of free OP tickets. The committee will also study the viability to standardize the rates of scanning, x-ray, and blood test in government hospitals. The super specialty facilities in the medical college will also be categorized in a proper order to benefit patients. Medical education departments, Dr. K V Vishwanathan, Dr. A N Aneesh Raj, health department assistant director Dr. M J Ajan. and E-health domain expert Dr. Ronjen Saigal are included in the expert panel. The report will be submitted within two months.