Private hospitals’ remedy for patients

With banks and ATMs being closed on Wednesday for public transactions, a day after the demonetisation move by the Central Government, city hospitals were in a fix about accepting payments from patients. While some made exceptions, a few stuck to the decision of not accepting the notes. 

At the Kanchi Kamakoti Childs Trust Hospital, the demonetised currency notes weren’t accepted. Srinivasan, a source from the hospital, said that they have received standing instructions from the bank. “We have been instructed not to accept the notes for the time being. We are making an exception in the case of emergency and for those being discharged from the hospital. We are not accepting the notes from out-patients.” There are a few hospitals that have been making an exception. Vijaya Hospitals, Vadapalani, has been accepting the notes, as it has a regular flow of patients all through the day. 

“We didn’t want to cause inconvenience to patients as some of them were emergency cases. However, the notes were accepted only till 8 pm. We are asking the patients to make payments online and will resume cash transactions tomorrow (Thursday),” said a source. Kauvery Hospital in Mylapore eased payment norms from cheques to regular online transactions. A source from the hospital said, “Be it out patients or the ones admitted here, we have been accepting all modes of payments, to minimise cash transactions.” 

Dr J A Jayalal, president-in-charge, Tamil Nadu Medical Council, said that though doctors and hospitals were willing to accept the demonetised notes, there had been an issue due to inadequate change. “Some of the patients weren’t aware of the announcement and were surprised to learn about it. Most of them are from the middle and lower middle income groups. It is difficult for pharmacies and medical stories at the hospitals to dispense the exact change in such a situation,” he said.