Concern Over Discrimination

Alluring advertisements in Indian newspapers attract a large number of innocent Nepalese to visit India for medical treatment of serious ailments or study at various educational institutions. Most of these organisations are registered as charity with local administration claiming waiver of taxes. But they technically fleece the customers by charging exorbitant service fees and other overheads. I am sending this letter which should serve as a good counselling to gullible. Nepalese as well as alert the law enforcement authorities in India to keep a vigil against such unscrupulous elements who make hefty money in the name of charity.

Recently, we have unhearthed a classic case of injustice meted to a rural folk from Nepal who went to Rishikesh. India for treatment of epilepsy by reading an advertisement in a prestigeous newspaper. The patient Mr. Krishna Dev Arya, a volunteer working with Nepal Arya Samaj, went to the clinic operated by BSGM Charitable Society at Rishikesh as specified.

But to his surprise, the patient was charged heavy fees for the very short "visit" with the doctor and medicine. The ad on the web site stated very clearly that normal or no fees will be charged to patients sent by social service organisations or "societies".

A letter from NAS was handed over addressed to the Doctor certifying that the patient is a poor student who also works for Nepal Arya Samaj, a religious society. But apparently the letter was ignored. The patient was asked to pay Rs. 500/- for registration. His plea that he was from a religious society had no effect. He paid the amount in the hope that the Doctor would be able to refund or reduce the amount, since the clerks at the registration desk would not register him or allow the patients to see the doctor.

When the patient entered the doctor’s room, no questions were asked about his ailment. He was simply asked to pay Rs. 8,000/- He was stunned, for all he had with him was the amount of Rs. 2000/- that he had been able to collect (through his savings and borrowings from friends and relatives) to pay for his fare to and from Rishikesh. He pleaded his case, but there was bargaining involved. The doctor or his assistant would not hear his pleas or consider the letter he had been given by his society. Ultimately he paid whatever amount he had with him. He was given 3 months ‘medicine with instructions that he would need to pay Rs. 3,200/-for the next 3 months’ supply Rs. 1,000/-more than the price charged to patients in India, because he came from Nepal, a foreign country.

The patient is in no position to afford the cost of the medicine over the next several years. He as well as his sponsors are a fix.

The clinic is registered as a "charitable society", and they clearly state in publications and web site that they give discounts to patients sponsored by non-profit institutions or societies. But they charge heavy fees for treatment and medicines. This is highly regrettable.

We earnestly request the service providers to reconsider financial charges with respect to the treatment of not only the patients under reference, but all similar, patient who are poor and are sponsored by non-profit organisations.

We would also like to submit that the charges for medicine should be the same for Nepal as for India, as Nepal is not a far-off foreign country like the countries in Europe or the Americas, or even the Far East, but right next door to India.

Nepal Arya Samaj
Battis Putali, Kathmandu