The Indian Medical Association (IMA), Warangal Branch, has strongly criticised recent remarks by MLC Vijayashanti regarding consultation fees and investigation costs at private hospitals, describing the comments as unfair and misleading.
While supporting efforts to prevent unnecessary investigations, irrational treatment and excessive billing, the IMA said that the actions of a few doctors or corporate hospitals should not be generalised to the entire medical profession.
IMA Explains Variation in Consultation and Investigation Costs
The association said consultation fees can vary depending on a doctor’s qualifications, speciality, experience, location and the type of healthcare facility.
Similarly, the investigations required for a patient with fever depend on several factors, including the patient’s clinical condition, duration and severity of symptoms, age, comorbidities and examination findings. The IMA said a complicated or serious illness cannot be compared with a simple, self-limiting fever.
The association also highlighted the difference between small and medium-sized private hospitals and large corporate hospitals. According to the IMA, private healthcare facilities face significant recurring expenses related to doctors and staff, infrastructure and rent, equipment EMIs, annual maintenance and comprehensive maintenance contracts, electricity, biomedical waste management, fire and municipal compliance, professional and other taxes, pollution-control requirements, Clinical Establishment and PCPNDT compliance, licences and inspections.
IMA Supports Action Against Proven Unethical Practices
In a press release signed by IMA Warangal President Dr P. Manmohan Raju, the association said transparent billing, rational investigations and informed consent are essential for protecting patients from unnecessary expenditure.
The IMA maintained that any proven unethical practice should be dealt with strictly on the basis of evidence against the concerned individual or institution rather than through broad statements about the entire medical profession.
The association also noted that the cost difference between private and government healthcare raises wider questions about medicines, diagnostic tests, infrastructure, staffing and the overall structure of private healthcare.
Suggestions to Strengthen Public Healthcare
IMA Warangal proposed several measures to improve public healthcare services, including strengthening Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Urban Health Centres with adequate infrastructure, medicines and diagnostic facilities.
It also called for round-the-clock availability of doctors and supporting healthcare staff, along with stronger preventive measures against seasonal and communicable diseases. The association recommended public awareness and early-intervention programmes to improve community health outcomes.
The IMA further suggested sustained public education about the risks associated with seeking treatment from unqualified or fake practitioners and unregistered rural medical practitioners.
Support Proposed for Rural and Underserved Areas
The association recommended special provisions and reasonable regulatory support for qualified doctors practising in rural and underserved areas.
Its suggestions include suitable GST relief or exemptions, simplified Clinical Establishment and other regulatory requirements for small rural establishments, and interest-free or low-interest loans for essential medical equipment and infrastructure.
IMA Warangal has urged public representatives to engage with doctors and healthcare associations before making broad statements about medical costs. The association said constructive dialogue, evidence-based policy and strengthening public healthcare should remain the focus of discussions around healthcare affordability and quality.
Important Highlights
- IMA Warangal has criticised remarks concerning consultation fees and investigation costs at private hospitals.
- The association supports action against unnecessary investigations, irrational treatment and excessive billing.
- IMA said consultation and investigation costs depend on multiple clinical and healthcare-facility factors.
- The association highlighted the recurring operational and regulatory costs faced by private hospitals.
- IMA called for stronger PHCs and Urban Health Centres with adequate doctors, staff, medicines and diagnostics.
- It also proposed regulatory and financial support for qualified doctors serving rural and underserved areas.
