Patients overcharged for parking at govt hospitals

Manmeet Singh Gill

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 24

The parking fee of two-wheelers at government hospitals is more than that of the outpatient department (OPD) in the city. While the OPD registration fee is merely Rs 10, patients have to shell out Rs 20 for parking their two-wheelers at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital.

At Jallianwala Bagh Martyr’s Memorial Civil Hospital and Employees State Insurance Hospital, the patients have to pay Rs 10 as parking fee that is on par with OPD registration fee.

The patients coming to the government hospitals feel that the parking fee is too high. “The ideal fee for parking of cycles and motorbikes should be Rs 2 and Rs 5, respectively. It is strange that one has to pay more to parking attendants than the hospital for a specialist doctor’s medical advice,” said a patient.

The patients also complained that parking slots have been run at the whims and fancies of private contractors. “Ideally, as a patient is paying to the hospital, he or she should be allowed to park vehicle free of cost. A nominal fee for maintenance or security can be charged, but the facility should be user orientated and not profit orientated,” said Prem Chand, a visitor to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital.

“The parking slips read that the contractor is not responsible for removable items, such as headlights, and just one fourth of the cost of vehicle would be paid after six months in case of theft. If the parking attendants are not responsible for the safety of vehicles, then how are they eligible to charge fee,” asks Kewal Singh, a city resident.

The hospital authorities say the parking lots are auctioned to private contractors and hospitals have nothing to do with it.

Dr Ram Sarup Sharma, Medical Superintendent, Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, said, “Patients can file their complaints with the hospital management if the parking contractor charges more than Rs 10 for two-wheelers.”

When questioned about the overcharging, the employees of the contractor, however, refused to comment.