The largest public hospital in State Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Hospital is going to make its novel 100-bed paid ward services operational in another three months.
Informing this, the senior RIMS officials said that the ward was almost ready with just few infrastructure related installations left to be finished like power transformers which will be completed as soon as possible, and the ward is expected to be operational probably early next year.
The ward eyes at providing enhanced care to the in-ward patients who can afford to pay Rs 1,000 everyday for homely feeling in an air-conditioned room well equipped with required medical facilities, on call doctor with 24X7 attendants, television set, a small kitchen and attached bathroom.
The ward, constructed strategically around old building and new super speciality wing which has been developed at a cost of around Rs 24 Crores funded by the Government is expected to remain a centre of attraction among those who can afford for it.
"Actually we have tried to provide service, which is otherwise available free in existing wards, at a cost in paid wards like existing cottages.
This is why we demanded some 70 dedicated staff for nearly ready to be operational paid-wards. And the Government has accepted our demands for similar number of staff including seven dedicated doctors and over two dozen of nurses.
The recruitment process is on along with the building of the ward getting final touch before we take charge of it, and I am sure we will be able to start serving our patients in paid wards sooner than expected," said former Director of RIMS Bl Sherwal.
Notably, RIMS cottage is a separate ward of 14 rooms offering patients non-AC rooms at Rs 150 per day and AC rooms at Rs 250. Interestingly, this cottage has remained the most sought-after destination for the rich including political leaders, especially when they land in jail. And there are fair chances of the new paid-ward being gripped by similar class too, which even Sherwal doesn't rule out.
"In principle, you can say that. This is why we have decided to hand the entire matter of deciding who to be sent to paid wards on the doctors taking care of them only.This is how we can keep the paid wards restricted from influences, if not completely free.
Moreover, we are going to raise rent of cottages also once paid ward turns operational, so that the pressure doesn't shift at one place," said Sherwal.