“Pay Rs 500 to take a look at your newborn baby girl and pay double if it’s a boy.”

That is what you will be told at BBMP’s maternity hospital in Austin Town.

Such threats and complaints of money being demanded to receive medical services were registered by residents of Koramangala, Ejipura and Neelasandra wards at a grievance redressal mela organized by Civic Bangalore at Austin Town on Wednesday.

“I was asked to pay up an additional Rs 300 apart from official charges when my sister-in-law Nagaratna delivered at an Austin Town hospital. They claimed the money will be shared between the ayahs and nurses,” said Malar, a resident of LR Nagar. “When my daughter Vijaya was admitted for delivery at Austin Town Hospital recently, authorities did not treat her properly. They refused to provide hot water and we had to buy it from hotels.

Since we cannot afford to go to private hospitals we come to BBMP hospitals. But we are fleeced here too,” rued Muniyellamma. In reply, BBMP joint commissioner (health) Dr Govindaraju said demanding money from patients and caretakers is inhumane. Health officers will be directed to monitor such activities and punish the offenders, he added.

An awareness programme for lower-rung employees will be organized by health officers of respective hospitals to educate them about the socio-economic status of poor people, he added. (source)