KOLKATA: Several private hospitals in Kolkata have seen a near-threefold jump in the number of patients seeking admission under the Swasthya Sathi scheme in just a month since it was extended to cover the entire Bengal population in late-November. Hospitals believe this is just the beginning of a spurt that could soon see Swasthya Sathi patients swell to alm-ost half the total number of admissions.
Between December and January, the number of patients under the scheme — that offers a health insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh — swelled from an average of 250-300 a day to around 850 across Kolkata’s private hospitals.
Till December, AMRI received around 200 Swasthya Sathi patients a month. It changed dramatically within days of chief minister Mamata Banerjee extending the scheme to the entire state population. “While we had received around 200 Swasthya Sathi patients across our three units in December, the number jumped to more than 400 in January. It will keep rising over the next few months,” said AMRI CEO Rupak Barua.
He added that the projection for February is around 600 for the three AMRI units.
“The number of patients under the scheme will have to be restricted. At a meeting with government officials, we have agreed upon a cap of 15% for patients covered by all government schemes, including Swasthya Sathi. Accordingly, we have set up Swasthya Sathi wards at our units with a total capacity of 110,” said Barua.
At RN Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences (RTIICS), Swasthya Sathi patients have doubled in number between November and January. It is set for a threefold rise by the end of February. From around 200 in November, the number touched 424 in January. “There has been a steady stream of patients ever since the scheme was extended and we expect the number to reach 500 by the end of this month,” said RTIICS zonal director R Venkatesh.
RTIICS has strengthened its Swasthya Sathi desk to cater to the sudden increase in number. “We have had the desk since 2017 when the scheme was first launched. Due to the spurt in number, we have deployed more personnel to handle our desk,” he added.
Narayana Superspecialty Hospital in Howrah, too, has seen a 50% spurt — from 200 in November to around 300 last month.
At Medica Superspecialty Hospital, Swasthya Sathi patients now account for around 10% of its total patients and have been climbing every week. “The spurt has been phenomenal and was expected. Eventually, we must introduce a separate ward for these patients so that most can be admitted,” said senior vice-chairman and cardiology head Kunal Sarkar.
AMRI and RTIICS have recently separate Swasthya Sathi wards this week. At AMRI, a desk has been set up to handle such patients at each of the three units. “From admissions to treatment and investigations, the desk provides comprehensive guidance,” said Barua.
Ruby General Hospital will start admitting Swasthya Sathi patients from the latter half of February, along with Belle Vue. Both have got empaneled and are waiting for the formalities to be completed.
De Sun has started taking in surgical cases under the scheme.
Hospitals, however, are worried at the spiralling number of patients seeking admission under the scheme since the rates remain low. The recent hike announced by the government, according to them, is not enough to make Swasthya Sathi feasible, they claimed. “Even with a 15% cap on the number of patients, we would be losing heavily unless the rates are increased. While the scheme could be a lifeline for many, Swasthya Sathi card-holders would be refused by hospitals if the rates don’t change,” felt Barua.