The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Uttarakhand’s Rishikesh on Sunday rolled back what was being termed a “steep hike” in the rates of medical procedures, following protests from residents and activists. A number of residents, activists and social organizations came together to protest against the hike and an indefinite hunger strike started on November 3 under the banner of #RightToHealth movement. The protestors are also demanding putting an end to “certain discrepancies” at a medical store and some doctors allegedly referring patients to private hospitals from AIIMS Rishikesh, he said. Similarly, for knee replacement, which is free in AIIMS Delhi general ward and ₹ 8,000 the private ward, the AIIMS Rishikesh was charging ₹ 99,000. A biopsy, for which ₹ 250 is charged in AIIMS Delhi’s private ward, was costing ₹ 5,175 for patients at the AIIMS Rishikesh.

Source: Hindustan Times November 05, 2017 14:03 UTC