went for tests of a family member and they quoted Rs 25000 for CT Scan.
When I called other labs these rates were quoted to me:
NMI : Rs 10,200
Esa Lab : Rs 7,000
National Medical Center : Rs 8,900
Look at the difference. They are charging 2.5- 3 times more than other service providers.
This is not the first time, I came across this difference. Had to get blood thinner tests for abba from Tabba Institute. They charged Rs 250 and handover reports within 20-30 minutes. At Aga Khan Collection Units, they quoted Rs 550 for the same tests and asked to collect reports next evening (if you went for test in morning).
Moreover, there is this attitude of consultants and doctors at Aga Khan that they don’t accept test reports from other places.
What the hell PMA is doing? Isn’t there any work ethics for medical profession in Pakistan?
Is their cost basis different than other hospitals? Staff levels, quality? Compensation? Facility costs? What about funding?
That could be a factor.
As far as not accepting tests from other places, maybe they don’t trust the quality of testing or data mgmt at other places. I can understand that to some level.
This is true…well did you try dow medical lab? They are now acceptable in aga khan as far as i know…and.CT scan is much cheaper than you have mentioned and result have accuracy..
I can’t say if their prices are justified or not but I can say their CT-scans/ MRI are quite advanced in technology and not too old. I can’t say the same for the other institutes you’ve mentioned. I did an internship at the Radiation Oncology dept and I can say at least for that dept how hard they work. The QA tests were continuous and thorough. So IA they maintain other machinery in the hospital similarly.
Besides maybe they charge extra for maintaining the hospital’s cleanliness.
Customer satisfaction is not of that level to charge 2.5 more than others. Tabba and NMC are also working in private sectors and have a good rapport among patients. They pay well to their staff / consultants. OPD charges in these institutions are all the same. While all the labs are approved by same authority, I don’t see any reason for not accepting test reports from other labs.
I think NMC’s machinery is upto mark as the hospital is not that old. Patel hospital is just on verge of introducing CT Scan facility wihin few weeks and I’m sure they will charge much lesser than Aga Khan. Besides NMI specialized in CT Scan and MRI and they are doing these at 40% of Aga Khan. Dow’s centre at Ojha near Safura Goth doing all the tests at much cheaper prices, but one need to spend log hours in queues to get these tests done.
Add:
I think latest CT Scan technology in Pakistan have 64 Slices. I just came back from NMC and they had written on their reception / boards 64 slices CT Scan.
The point is when you claim to be a non-profit organisation (hospital), your ultimate stakeholders (i.e. patients) should get benefit more than other stake holders. You keep on paying high salaries to your staff by charging 2-3 times more to patients will not make you a non-profit organisation.
that’s true that AKUH charges 2,3 times more than other hospitals and labs. however, i think they charge you for the quality(AKUH has top notch consulting docs), facilities,advanced technology etc. i agree there are other good hospitals and labs too that charge less and people who find AKUH expensive could go to other places. i mean its just a matter preference, affordability and willingness to pay more.
PS: Aga khan does accepts the reports of Dow lab and Liaquat medical center lab.
PS: the benefit does go to the end customers(patients) however, only those who are from their community.
I think the “problem” is that Aga Khan has a lot of focus on research and teaching as well. They have to pay good salaries to their staff to retain them who would otherwise leave Pakistan.
Their research output and impact is far superior to other universities (and university hospitals) in Karachi. Unfortunately, the cost is transferred to patients I guess. In the long run, I would assume that this research benefits the country.
One of my kin was recently admitted for 4 days. They billed Rs 100,000/- though that person got better with their treatment but there is still alot of improvement required in their service.
On the other hand my own daughter was born there and was kept in NICU and I can tell u that the care in NICU was flawless I don’t think that any other hospital can match that quality and care. I had the mental peace that she is in good hand , a few hours old without mommy she spent many days alone there with the staff and they took excellent care of her.
It’s the services they are charging for . Example , the entire medial record can be retrieved via MR # including x rays and other reports. You can be sure about the needles and other medical supplies they use. That is a peace of mind they are charging for !
Non profit does not mean they don’t care about profit. Most hospitals in the US have non profit status as well but are very expensive. That status is for tax purposes. And yes, name and quality adds to the expense. Not everyone can afford Aga Khan. I had surgeries done at regular hospitals in Karachi with very good outcomes. AD.
