Outpatients Waiting for Lab Results
The outpatient department (OPD) at the referral centre caters to more than 30,000 patients every year for a registration fee of Rs. 6 only. Children under 6 years of age and pregnant women are charged three rupees. There is no separate consultation fee. Repeat consultations within the first week are free, while subsequent consultations cost Rs. 3 only.
The median expenditure for an illness for its complete evaluation, laboratory investigation and drug needs for an entire month costs the patient a median expenditure of Rs 73 in year 2008. In the year 2004, the median expenditure was Rs 53.This increase has to be considered also in light of the fact that we are seeing more complicated and sicker patients in our clinical services than before.
The population served by the referral health centre at Ganiyari is over 300,000 with 35% Dalits, 14% Tribals and 44% backward castes. The population served by the subcentres is around 75000 and by the village health workers around 26000, and over 72% are adivasis, 7% dalits, and 19% backward castes.
