From Free to Fee: Himachal Hospitals End Free OPD Slips, Patients Now Need to Pay

Shimla (The Uttam Hindu): If you’re heading to a government hospital in Himachal Pradesh, you’ll need to pay ₹10 for your OPD slip from now on. The state government has made this change official with an order issued by the Health Department on Wednesday.

This decision comes after a recommendation from a Cabinet Sub-Committee, and it’s now in effect. Starting May 26, free services like X-ray, ECG, and ultrasound will also be off the table for 14 specific patient categories, meaning those patients will have to cover the costs for these diagnostics.

According to the government, this fee is essential for keeping the facilities clean, maintaining health services, and ensuring that medical equipment and infrastructure are up to par through the Rogi Kalyan Samiti.

Health Minister Colonel Dhaniram Shandil stood by the decision, explaining that the free slips were often mishandled, which created problems for doctors. He pointed out that PGI Chandigarh already charges for these slips.

Now, patients with cancer and kidney issues, pregnant women, seniors (60+), TB and HIV patients, individuals with disabilities, those dealing with mental health issues, prisoners, NRHM beneficiaries, patients under the free medicine scheme, disaster victims, juvenile inmates, and residents of old age homes or orphanages will need to pay ₹60 for an X-ray, ₹120 for an ultrasound, and ₹35 for an ECG. However, these groups will still have access to 133 other tests at no charge.