Director say patient rush 10 times more than others
Srinagar, 28 July: Sheri-Kashmir institute of Medical Sciences soura Tuesday said patients would be provided with anti-viral “Ramdesivir” on payment basis.
The decision to charge the patients for the drug has been taken in view of the increasing rush of COVID-19 patients to the SKIMS Soura.
Officials at the SKIMS said the rush of COVID-19 patients at the SKIMS has increased manifolds in past two weeks.
“We were providing the drug free of cost to the patients initially. Now, we have to give this drug to almost 100 patients every day which is becoming very difficult,” SKIMS officials said.However, they said SKIMS was managing the expenditures of the patients from economically poor families by providing them the drug free under various government sponsored health schemes.
The sudden spike in COVID-19 patients in Kashmir has also created a shortage of the Remedsivar. People are seen moving from pillar to post to get antiviral drug as this “vital drug” is only hope for the COVID-19 positive patients to survive.
Barring SKIMS, other hospitals are still providing this viral drug free of cost to its patients like GMC Srinagar and SKIMS JVC.
Principal GMC Dr Saima Rashid and Principal SKIMS JVC Reyaz Untoo told news agency KDC that they have already sent the requisition for “Remedisvir” and are providing the drug free of cost to the patients admitted in the hospitals.
Relatives of the COVID-19 patients admitted at SKIMS Soura told news agency KDC that they are being charged Rs 4000 per vial by the hospital administration at SKIMS Soura.
According to doctors the vital drug costs around Rs 22000 for a five days full doze of a single patient.
Meanwhile, Director SKIMS Soura A.G Ahanger confirmed that institute was charging patients for the drug. ”The patient rush at SKIMS is ten times more than other hospitals. Initially, we were giving the drug to patients free of cost but now it has become difficult to continue it due to burden on hospital exchequer, he said.
“COVID-19 is not going to end very soon and we have to maintain highest standards of healthcare for patients instead of scoring brownie points on social media,” he said.
Officials at Drug store counter SKIMS Soura said that “Remedisvir” is available at the rate of 3600 per vial and full course is being given at a cost of Rs 21,600 to the patients of the hospital.
Pertinently, Many People including DAK had already raised serious concerns over the high cost of the drug. (KDC)
