Mayor withholds order and assures justice to hospitals
More than 110 private hospitals of Vidarbha with total bed strength of more than 10000 had joined hands to form Vidarbha Hospitals Association which is aimed to help set quality standards, ensure cost-effective quality health care to incoming needy patients, support statutory authorities to enhance the image of Nagpur as an exemplary health care destination and to protect the interests of health care service providers. VHA is also member of District Health Coordination Committee. The novel idea of having a rapid actin group to rush to aid of medical practitioners initiated by VHA has been successfully replicated all over state and country.
A recent notification of enhance charges issued by M/s. Superb Hygienic Disposals- the NMC nominated agency to pick up Biomedical waste disposal material from hospitals has shaken up all Nagpur based hospitals.
In a meeting of all hospitals based in Nagpur on 12/02/2020; it was unanimously resolved that the revised increase from Rs.248.89/- per bed/ month to Rs.273.79/- per bed/ month could have been acceptable as per the MOU but the weight limitation and the excess charges of Rs.30 per kg over and above a prescribed limit is very arbitrary and unjustified. It was noted that the consideration of 300 gm per day per bed wastage is irrational and unscientific considering the usage promotion of disposables to adhere quality norms. The biomedical waste that includes used disposables, syringes, needles, dressing material, urobags, catheters, sanitary pads etc of one patient will always more than 300 gms per bed.
Accordingly, a delegation of more than 50 hospitals led by VHA today met Shri.Sandeep Joshi, Mayor, Nagpur city. It was highlighted that the MOU applicable for 30 years signed between Nagpur Municipal Corporation, Indian Medical Association- Nagpur and Superb Hygienic Disposals dated 10/09/2004 states that the rates will only be revised by 10% of every 3 years and bed occupancy will be calculated @60%. VHA members have rendered their protest aginst the unjust arbitrary additional weight and 300 gm per bed biomedical waste generation clauses inserted in the recent notification issued on 19/12/2019.
This clause has increased the biomedical waste bill 3-4 times of almost all hospitals. There is an additional NMC bill for general waste. VHA stated that Nagpur private health care sector is unable to absorb the increasing costs of all commercial taxes, sewerage treatment plants, fire, labour and pollution control board charges over and above commercial water and electricity rates. Private health care sector does not get any subsidy or loan interest benefits from the government.  Per bed maintenance costs of all hospital has increased manifold leading to the imminent closure of many nursing homes.
Hon’ble Mayor patiently heard the grievances and immediately directed Dr.Pradeep Dasarwar- NMC Health Officer to withhold said order, have a meeting again with VHA office-bearers and submit related note sheet to Standing Committee for approval before implementation. Moreover, on the VHA grievance of 10-15 times hike in property tax; Mayor assured to arrange a camp wherein all hospitals can get their enhanced property tax reviewed.
VHA office bearers who led the delegation namely Dr. Ashok Arbat-President, Dr. Alok Umre- Secretary, Dr. Deepak Deshmukh- Treasurer, Dr. Pramod Giri & Dr. Shrikant Mukewar- Vice Presidents, Dr. Anup Marar- Convener, Dr. Shantanu Sengupta & Dr. Dilip Rathi- Joint Secretaries along with Executive Member Dr. Pravin Lad thanked Hon’ble Mayor for this proactive decision.