Former Health Minister Dr. Clarice Modeste-Curwen has announced that new and increased user fees for persons seeking services at the General Hospital in St. George's will be introduced soon.

She made the disclosure last week during her presentation on the 2004 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure at York House. The fees are part of the Revised Licenses and User Fees that were introduced during the presentation of the 2004 Budget by Finance Minister Anthony Boatswain.

According to Dr. Modeste-Curwen who is now the Minister for Communications and Works, before the fees come into effect consultation will be held by government with the public.

She told parliament that in order to have better health care, there must be a cost involved, adding that the philosophy of government is that who could afford to pay for services must do so. However, the senior government minister gave assurances that anyone who entered the Hospital and cannot afford will not be denied services.

Modeste's statement on the issue has brought immediate reaction from a wide cross section of the public. Some persons interviewed by GRENADA TODAY felt strongly that before any fees could be introduced there is a need to improve on a number of services being offered at the Hospital.

Patients have been complaining about the length of time one has to wait to se a doctor especially at the Causality Department. Some persons suggested that government should help put in place some form of Social Security to assist those who are unable to pay.

According to figures provided in the budget, General Hospital Fees for Private Block will move from $40 to 200, Duncan's Ward from $100 to $150. The cost of Major Surgery will increase from $250 to $1000, Minor Surgery from $250 to $1000, Intermediate Surgery $125 to $500 and Minor Surgery will move from $75 to $200.

Some of the other new costs planned: Baby Delivery from free to $200, Basic Tests from $7 to $15, Complete Urine Analysis from $2 to $10 as well as Autopsies (medico-legal) from from to $200 as well as Autopsies (other) from $0 to $100.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Jemma Bain-Thomas admitted at a recent press conference that there are problems with the operations of the new General Hospital but suggested that the situation will improve with the passage of the 2004 budget in parliament.

Bain-Thomas said that the hospital intends to employ more health professionals to hep tackle some of the problems that currently exists in order to deal with a shortage of workers. She also indicated that there will be improvements at the Princess Alice Hospital in St. Andrew's with the addition of another House Officer on staff.

According to Bain-Thomas, there are also plans for the construction of a Health Center on Melville Street in St. George's.
She said that this facility will deal specifically with minor incidents in order to ease up the number of people visiting the Causality Department at the hospital for help in dealing with a number of for minor cases.