Dr PN Arora, MD, Yashoda Hospital, says the Government's initiative of slashing stent prices by 85 per cent was a long-awaited measure which will benefit the masses and make healthcare affordable to all. Excerpts of the interview:
What’s trending in the medical field these daysIJ
The latest development is the Government’s move to cut stent prices. This is a wonderful step which will reach out to the masses, especially the economically weaker sections of the society, who were not unable to afford such an expensive heart treatment. The prices have been slashed by 85 per cent and the bare metal stents (BMS) which cost Rs 40,000 each will now cost just Rs 7,260. The drug eluting stents (DES), which cost Rs 1.98 lakh earlier are now priced at Rs 29,600. The common man and the poor will now be able to afford this treatment.
Has the price-cut impacted private hospitalsIJ
It has worked in our favour too, because many patients will now come to us for treatment. With the rising number of heart-attack cases we get to see every year, the new move will empower us to save many more lives and increase longevity of the people. I don’t think any doctor has a problem with this, but yes, manufacturing companies abroad will have to bring down the cost of their production to compete in the Indian market — which is a bulk market for them.
This was a long-pending price cut...
There have been many cases in the past where patients couldn’t afford such expensive treatment. Also, those who managed to get the treatment done, complained of the steep prices. Making healthcare affordable is the biggest challenge that India faces, and the Government is trying to address it for a very long time. In the past few years, the Government has brought down the prices of many expensive drugs, so the stents price cut was only waiting to happen.
The third and fourth generation stents which are polymer-free and reduce the risks of thrombosis, cannot be used now, as they don’t fit into the capped price list…
We are looking at benefiting the masses. Those who can afford high-end stents, can go for the third and fourth generation ones and get their treatment done abroad.
Will this move impact medical tourism, which India has been pushing atIJ
Indian medical tourism is on the rise. So, yes, the move will increase the number of foreign patients. But the Government’s priority should be — and and is — to treat its own citizens first.
There have been many cases of hospitals overcharging a patient requiring a stent …
If we talk about quality healthcare, it will cost a little more than what Government hospitals would charge. It’s a competitive world, and giving quality healthcare is what every hospital aims at.
What is the larger vision of the Yashoda Super Speciality HospitalIJ
Every patient and citizen has the right to get good treatment. Our vision is to provide quality healthcare to all. It is not about how many hospitals we have; it’s about how we are able to make healthcare accessible to all. Treatment costs have to come down and be within the reach of the common man.
(The writer is senior reporter cum sub-editor, The Pioneer)