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The scheme has been criticized as it is procedure driven and private hospitals get the greatest compensation for surgeries and procedures like angioplasties. It is therefore alleged that these hospitals tend to opt for interventional methods of treatment when a medical line would offer equal benefits. There have been reports of even unnecessary surgeries being conducted. Moreover, there has been a gradual erosion of the standards of public hospitals over the last several years. It is more imperative that these hospitals be upgraded as they not only treat high end cases but also more common illnesses which form the bulk of the disease burden in the country.
Competing interests:
I have worked at one such accredited hospital (SevenHills Hospital, Mumbai).
Re: Two thirds of families in Maharashtra’s “free” health scheme pay for treatment
The scheme has been criticized as it is procedure driven and private hospitals get the greatest compensation for surgeries and procedures like angioplasties. It is therefore alleged that these hospitals tend to opt for interventional methods of treatment when a medical line would offer equal benefits. There have been reports of even unnecessary surgeries being conducted. Moreover, there has been a gradual erosion of the standards of public hospitals over the last several years. It is more imperative that these hospitals be upgraded as they not only treat high end cases but also more common illnesses which form the bulk of the disease burden in the country.
Competing interests: I have worked at one such accredited hospital (SevenHills Hospital, Mumbai).