High maternity fee empties out wards

DUBAI - Promises made by the Dubai Government, nearly a year ago, to provide better services in lieu of the huge amounts being charged as maternity fees are apparently not having the desired effect as the once brimming hospital corridors now appear deserted, while the once busy staff now sit idle, twiddling their thumbs.

Since the new fee structure was announced by the Department of Health and Medical Services (Dohms) for maternity services, the popularity and the number of maternity cases being dealt with in the government hospitals in the emirate has gone down drastically.

"I remember the crowd we used to have once upon a time. Now, all I see is worried women who wish that nothing goes wrong during their pregnancy, as on every new test, they will have to pay a lot of extra money," said a staff nurse at the outpatient antenatal clinic on condition of anonymity.

Most mothers-to-be hesitate or cannot cough up the huge amount they have to pay as maternity fees and antenatals, with extra money being charged in case any complication arises during the pregnancy.

More so, most prefer to travel to government hospitals in the neighbouring emirate which charge them a nominal fee and provides the same, or even better, services.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, several women complained that despite the fee hike, no extra service or facility was being provided to them.

"I still have to wait a long time for my turn to see the doctor who hardly takes five minutes to examine me, and I leave the hospital dissatisfied," said Faiza Haq, who is nearing the end of her second trimester of pregnancy.

She also added that despite her opting for a package delivery, she was charged a whole lot extra when she developed complications during her pregnancy. "Recently, I had to be admitted to hospital because of some complication, I was shocked to learn upon discharge that I was to be charged a whopping Dh 2,000 - other than the Dh 2,500 advance paid for the package, while the remaining Dh 3,000 to be paid upon discharge - for the CTGs, blood and urine tests and room charges for two days," she said.

"Why should I be charged when I am not responsible for creating the complication?" she questioned angrily, adding, "I thought that once I took the package, I would be exempt from such charges, and of course, there is always a possibility that complications can arise during the pregnancy."

A doctor at Dubai Hospital, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the government did not give any let-ups to the staff as well.

"We are also being charged the same amounts as anybody else," she said, adding that it was unfair.

The doctor also disclosed that most patients did not pay fees upon discharge due to the huge amounts, but preferred to sign a pink paper promising to pay later or in instalments.

Another visible trend was to have the case shifted to a private or government hospital in Sharjah.

"One visit to Dubai Hospital cost me more than Dh560, besides the hassle of passing through long procedures and several tests," said L. Abdul Rehman.