Government hospitals collect user charges for RKS funds meant for patient welfare. Learn to audit accounts via RTI and expose misuse of patient money.
Key Takeaway: Government hospitals collect user charges that go to Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS) funds meant exclusively for patient welfare - medicines during stock-outs, equipment repairs, facility improvements. High spending on vague "office contingency" or "hospitality" while basic amenities are missing indicates fund misappropriation.
Every government hospital collects user charges - modest fees for registration, diagnostic tests, minor procedures. This money goes to the Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS), which must spend on patient welfare, yet funds are often misused for staff amenities or siphoned through inflated procurement.
Community-hospital governance body at each PHC/CHC/District Hospital with Medical Officer as chairperson, staff and community representatives as members.
Fund sources: User charges, NHM untied funds, government grants
Permitted use: Emergency medicines, equipment repair, infrastructure improvements, patient diet, cleaning materials, contractual staff honorarium (if approved)
Prohibited: Staff tea/meals, unauthorized travel, personal gifts, expenses not approved in RKS meeting
Public display mandate: Hospitals must display on notice board:
RTI strategy:
"Request certified copies of Cash Book, Ledger, Bills/Vouchers >ā¹5,000, RKS meeting minutes for FY 2024-25"
Vague expense heads: "Office Contingency" ā¹45,000, "Hospitality" ā¹30,000, "Miscellaneous" ā¹25,000 without specifics
Inverted priorities: More spent on office admin (50%) than patient welfare (40%)
Inflated rates: Fans at ā¹3,500 vs market ā¹1,500
Vendor monopoly: Single vendor receives ā¹75,000 in 3 months
No RKS meetings: Last meeting 8 months ago, yet expenditures continued
Complaint to CMO citing RTI evidence of irregularities
Vigilance complaint for misappropriation if CMO unresponsive
Community social audit: Verify claimed purchases (count fans, check facility condition)
Media exposure: "Hospital Collects ā¹10L User Charges, Spends on Staff Tea"
By demanding RKS account transparency and verifying expenditure, ensure user charges improve patient care instead of funding unauthorized spending.
Resources: nhm.gov.in ā RKS Guidelines
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