BHOPAL: The National Health Policy 2017 lays emphasis on strengthening and prioritising the role of government in all dimensions of health sector. It also envisages expansion of preventive, curative and rehabilitative services via public health sector focusing on quality health services.
However, when it comes to choosing between private and government health services, it seems that people have less faith in latter. They believe that government is unable to provide all facilities. Owing to poor quality of health services, people prefer to spend more in private hospitals.
“My daughter met with an accident and was taken to JP Hospital. After initial treatment, I was asked to get tests done from outside. Seeing all this I took her to a private hospital. Most of the people prefer private hospitals just because of this. They are even ready to pay more money for this. It is a matter of health and we cannot take risks. We read about the wonders of government hospitals a lot in newspapers and have experienced it too. Why should I trouble myself more, when I am already in trouble.”
Anita Verma, 52
“I went to AIIMS Bhopal for a filling in my teeth. I reached early in the morning at around 7am and returned at 12 pm without treatment. Can you imagine the situation at AIIMS? I was there to see the dentist but there were other patients too. Patients are even asked to get diabetes tests done from private laboratories. If one can afford private labs, why would he or she go for AIIMS?”
Suraj Gahbhiye, 24
“I take my father and mother for treatment to AIIMS. I have had several show downs with the staff. Their behavior is quite bad especially when there is a long queue. The system of OPD too is not proper. For even tests like blood sugar and cholesterol, patients are sent to private laboratories outside the hospital. A sugar patient needs to eat every hour and as such one has to wait for at least four to five hours. First for the OPD and then for tests. Facility of MRI and CT scan has been made available only a few days ago and that too under patients’ pressure. Patients prefer to spend money in private hospitals instead of running from one department to another for doctors and tests.”
Sandeep Nagar, 42