Radiology MD seat costs Rs. 15 million, yet not available for next 3 years

An MD radiology seat under management and NRI (Non-Resident Indian) quota in medical colleges costs Rs. 12.5-15 million. And despite this pulse-stopping figure, seats have been sold out for the next two to three years. This is the where the gravy train starts, an explanation why consulting specialists and treatment in specialty hospitals cost the earth. No doubt modern equipment is expensive and adds to the cost of treatment, but the fee that an MBBS graduate pays is the main factor.

It’s an open secret: the fee charged by some deemed university medical colleges, as well as those affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), range from Rs. 6 million to Rs. 15 million. A few years ago, orthopedics was the hot favourite. Now it is radiology which commands Rs. 12.5-15 million. If graduates don’t book their seats now, they should be prepared to add 10-20 % premium the next year. Early booking ensures the rate is frozen.

So what could be the reason that radiology costs so much? Believe it or not, it’s insurance companies plus the fear of litigation, say doctors. No hospital wants to get mired in litigation, so the first things recommended are exhaustive investigations, ranging from common blood tests to MRI. This has generated demand for specialists, says a doctor. The first thing a patient is asked on arrival in hospital is whether he/she has a mediclaim policy. If the patient has one, a battery of tests is ordered, whether required or not, the doctor noted.

Source: The Times of India, December 30, 2010