Rajasthan's health card to woo voters

At least four hospitals in Jaipur and Jodhpur have announced they would give discounts on otherwise expensive medical treatments to people who cast their vote April 17, when the first phase of voting for the Lok Sabha election takes place in the state.

Voting for the 25 parliamentary constituencies in the state will take place April 17 and 24.

Virendra Pareek, spokesperson for Eternal Hearth Care Center & Institute in Jaipur, told IANS that the discount has been offered for people who vote.

"The people who seek the discount will have to show election ink on their nail. It will prove that they have cast their ballot," said Pareek.

He added that there will be a 20 percent discount on consultation charges.

"Besides, we will offer 10 percent discount on OPD investigation charges and five percent discount on medical investigations and various diagnoses including on angiography and angioplasty. The voters would be able to avail of the discount April 17 when the first phase of voting will take place," said Pareek.

Some other hospitals offering discount are Sri Ram Hospital, Preksha Hospital and Dhanvantari in Jodhpur, some 350 km from Jaipur.

"We have two hospitals in Jodhpur - one a 100-bed and other a 50-bed hospital and in both of these establishments we will offer 50 percent discount on OPD charges and 30 percent for medical tests and 20 percent on surgeries," said Sunil Chandak, owner of Sri Ram Hospital, Jodhpur.

He said that the idea is to encourage people to cast their votes. "We will be very happy if we can contribute even in a small manner on this festival which comes after five years," said Chandak.

Similarly, Dhanwantari Hospital has offered 20 percent discount on infertility treatment and Preksha has offered discount in the range of 22-33 percent for OPD charges and diagnosis, the officials at these hospitals said.

All these hospitals in Jodhpur are offering discount April 17 and April 18.