Chennai: Hospitals have been witnessing a decline in the number of patients ever since the demonetisation plan was unveiled.
This is despite the fact that hospitals are permitted to collect old currencies only until November 14. A few private hospitals such as SIMS Hospital and government hospitals including Government Opthalmic Hospital have been seeing a dip in the number of patients.
“Our out patient (OP) numbers continue to remain the same, however, the number of patients coming in for elective surgeries has fallen. The surgery payment requires the patients to make a deposit prior to the surgery. However, due to the lack of change or access to cash, many have been finding it difficult to do so. We are still trying to help the patients,” said Dr Vijaykumar Chokkan, Director of Medical Services, SIMS Hospital.
“Our staff members also take permission to go stand in the long queues in ATMs. These disruptions are expected to continue for some time,” he added.
The Government Opthalmic Hospital or the Egmore Eye Hospital has been seeing fewer patients since Wednesday. “We are in the hope that things will return to normal within a week,” said a source at the hospital.
But hospitals such as Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Hospital (SRMC) and Stanley Medical College and Hospital seem to be least affected by the demonitisation.
“Our OP and surgery numbers haven’t changed at all and we are not expecting it to fall after November 14 either,” said Dr J.S.N. Murthy, vice chancellor, SRMC.
“We have a bank on our premises so it makes matters simpler for us,” he added.
