July 23: The National Referral Hospital’s idea to start the off-hour clinic from May this year was ineffective. It has been three months now that the hospital could not start off with the idea.

The reason behind such idea is to decongest the number of patients in the morning hours. It was also aimed to provide proper service delivery in addition to the emergency services provided by the hospital.

The off-hour clinic idea came up after a telephonic survey conducted by the Ministry of Health found out that many people are willing to pay for the medical services besides routine services provided by the hospital.

Taking this as a baseline, a proposal was submitted to the health ministry last year and then to the cabinet. The cabinet approved and announced that the services will be started from May 4.

However, the service could not be started on the expected date. This is because most of the service providers were civil servants and the Royal Civil Service Commission had asked for the new proposal.    

According to officials from the Health Ministry, the new proposal had been already submitted to the RCSC and the Finance Ministry for approval.

In order to avail on this facility, patients have to make an appointment with the doctors and pay a consultation fee.