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MANGALORE: Manipal University has instituted Arogya Card 2014 as part of its social initiative with objective to provide quality healthcare at affordable cost to large section of society. The card enables a member to avail large benefits by way of discounts on inpatient and outpatient treatment in various networked hospitals under Manipal Health Enterprises in the coastal belt, Dr Surendra Shetty, pro vice-chancellor of Manipal University Mangalore campus said.

 Dr M V Prabhu, dean, KMC Mangalore dwelling on healthcare delivery system with regard to public private partnership model said by paying a small sum as membership fee, anybody can obtain membership and he/she will receive his investment back as concessions from just two or three usages of the card. The membership will close on July 2, Dr Prabhu said adding the university plans to enrol about 2 lakh members under the scheme this year.

 Dr Madhusudan Upadya, medical superintendent, KMC Attavar stated that free consultations at KMC Hospital Attavar and 50% discount on consultation at KMC Hospital Ambedkar Circle with any specialist/super specialist doctor any number of times during the year is the most attractive among the outpatient benefits of the card. In addition, 20% discount on diagnostics and laboratory investigations give considerable relief to the patient.

 There will be up to 10% rebate on medicines purchased from hospital pharmacy with prescription. There is a flat 25% concession on in-patient bill excluding consumables for any number of times during the year and up to 10% concession on medicines purchased from pharmacy for patients in Kasturba Hospital and KMC Hospitals Mangalore. Dr TMA Pai Hospitals in Udupi and Karkala offers 15% concession for patients in all the wards.

 As a special gesture, KMC Hospitals, Mangalore will offer additional 5% discount for senior citizens during this scheme period, Dr Upadya said. During the scheme 2013, about Rs 2 crore were given as concession to members. About 5,000 in-patients and about 80,000 out-patients benefitted from the scheme. Card that is priced at Rs 250 for individuals and Rs 500 for family card offers discounts on treatment on pre-existing diseases as well.