Chennai: As more and more medical emergencies have been reported during travel, the Indian Railways has increased the medical consultation fee from Rs 20 to Rs 100. This is the first time, the railways is increasing the fee since 1989.
It has also been reported that irrespective of ailments faced by the passengers, the fee would be the same.
According to an order issued by the Railway Board, whenever a passenger is afflicted with sudden illness or suffers an injury that isn’t caused due to train accident, the passenger will be charged a medical consultation fee of Rs 100. The order further added that the cost of the medicine and injection would also be charged from the passengers. The order went on to note that the Train Ticket Examiners (TTEs) are authorised to collect the medical consultation fee for which excess fare ticket (EFT) receipt will be issued to passengers.
According to sources from the railways, normally, at times when passengers complain of any illness like cardiac arrest or respiratory problems, the TTEs on board alert the control room or the next railway station to make arrangements for passengers and give them the needed medical assistance.
During such situation, passengers are provided with the necessary first-aid and are consulted by doctors who are at the emergency medical centres at stations. The passengers are then referred to a private or government hospital for further treatment if needed.
Under Southern Railway, stations such as Central, Egmore, Tiruchi, Coimbatore, Salem, Madurai, and Katpadi have emergency medical centres.