Our experience @Fortis hospital

My dad has been a heart patient for about 20 years now and has undergone a by-pass surgery about 10 years back. In past few days, he has been experiencing the angina pain again, and we decided to take him to the hospital. We went to Fortis hospital – a reputed hospital chain in Delhi – where the angioplasty test and other tests such as ECG were performed. The doctor, in charge, explained us that nothing is wrong with the artery on which previous surgery was done, but 2 other veins are heavily clotted, and would be best if he can undergo stent intervention procedure right now. Now, the thing to note in such circumstances is that patient’s family easily panic, and only have limited knowledge of these medical facts. They have very few options other than following doctor’s advice, especially given when there is a chance of high guilt penalty for not following the advice. We were almost decided to undergo the operation – but then one of my maternal uncles is in medical profession, and he suggested to wait for a week or 2 – and rather get operated at G.B.Pant -  a famous government hospital for coronary diseases – where one of his close friends work.

As it happened, we got my dad admitted to G.B.Pant after 2 days, and saw the physician there. To our surprise the physician there (who is also close to us) recommended that there is no need of an operation. He opined that everything seems fine, and the blockages are only at the terminal ends of less important veins, which should not impact heart’s performance. He even recommended continuing with daily lifestyle, with slightly changed medicine.

We are going to take a 3^rd opinion, but given the physician at G.B.Pant is quite reputed and is also an acquaintance, there is less chance of his opinion being motivated by other reasons.

Now let’s say (& I hope) that the 2^nd physician is right (of which there is a high chance) – then it raises lot of moral questions on the practices followed by medical professionals in these reputed private hospitals. Firstly, you advise a patient who doesn’t need a surgery to get operated. Secondly, you sell the same quality of stents at almost double the price of government hospitals (who also build in some profit). Now, I totally understand that providing quality service have higher operational costs, but something which costs 40k to you shouldn’t be sold at 1 lacs. That is sheer robbery. So, if you have to charge those higher costs – you should include them in the services – and the raw materials bought. Thirdly, a small incident – but when I ask you for the CD of the angioplasty procedure that you had just run and charged us 13k for – you should not ask for an extra 1,200 INR to provide that CD. I can’t understand how can writing a CD cost so much. If it really does, then you need to train your staff better.

Most of these high rates are probably driven (& sustained) by the new trend of employer covered insurances, and ‘behind the scenes’ nexus between insurance companies and healthcare providers. To me, our medical industry needs better regulation. The disappointing fact is that I have faced similar situations before myself, and have done nothing for the change. And even this time, I haven’t done much.

P.S.: Dad is in good health, and we are very relieved to find out that all is well :)