Shimla, 22April
The Himachal Pradesh government has come under sharp scrutiny after the Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS) approved a fresh hike in user charges at Kamla Nehru State Hospital for Mother and Child, a key public healthcare facility in the state capital.
As per an official order, the revised rates implemented from April 10, 2026 introduce charges across a wide range of services, including consultation, ICU care, operations and diagnostic tests, raising concerns over the growing cost burden on patients in government hospitals.
While a ₹10 consultation fee has been made mandatory at registration, charges for special wards have been fixed at ₹1,000 (sharing) and ₹2,000 (single), with VIP rooms priced at ₹3,000 per day. ICU charges have been set at ₹220 for general ward patients and ₹440 for private wards.
Surgical procedures have also been brought under the revised structure. Major operations will cost ₹550 in general wards and ₹2,200 in private wards, while even minor OT procedures will now require patients to pay ₹100 to ₹300. Diagnostic services such as ECG and ultrasound have also been priced at ₹50–₹100 and ₹250–₹500 respectively.
Additionally, medical board examinations will cost ₹2,500, and fitness certificates for jobs or licences have been fixed at ₹500.
The move has triggered criticism, with questions being raised over the government’s push to increase user charges in public healthcare institutions, which are primarily meant to provide affordable treatment. Critics argue that such decisions could disproportionately impact economically weaker sections who rely heavily on government hospitals.
The order, issued by the Medical Superintendent-cum-Member Secretary of RKS, has been circulated for immediate implementation, even as the debate over affordability versus revenue generation in public health institutions intensifies in the state.
