LUCKNOW: Despite Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s directive to provide free treatment for those injured in the Transport Nagar building collapse, reports have emerged indicating that patients are being charged for costly tests and medicines.
Victims reported that although the hospital had waived treatment charges, they were still required to pay for expensive tests and medications prescribed by doctors at the KGMU Trauma Centre.
Victims claimed that many of the prescribed medicines were unavailable at the hospital's pharmacy, forcing them to buy these medications from outside pharmacies.
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One of the victims, Aditya Kumar, revealed that his family had spent thousands of rupees on tests and medications, despite the government's assurance that all treatment expenses would be covered.
I was referred to the KGMU Trauma Centre from Lok Bandhu Hospital, where I wasn’t charged a single penny, however, I still had to pay for two CT scans and purchase medicines from outside after being shifted to the KGMU Trauma Centre.
Aditya Kumar, Victim
Another victim, Anoop Kumar Maurya, stated that his family had spent nearly ₹30,000 on medicines that were not available at the hospital.
We haven’t been charged for admission or consultation, but we are forced to buy medicines from stores outside the hospital.
Anoop Kumar Maurya, Victim
Other victims also reported similar experiences, having to buy essential medicines from outside pharmacies.
KGMU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Soniya Nityanand stated that victims of the building collapse were provided free treatment from the beginning, with no fees being charged, as per the university administration's clear orders.
She added that if any attendant had accidentally paid fees, those payments would be reimbursed.
Chief Medical Officer Manoj Agarwal has confirmed that the treatment for victims was intended to be free but declined to comment on the situation at KGMU.
(Input From Various Sources)
(Rehash/Simran Sethi/MSM)
