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RECENTLY, I visited a 24-hour clinic after midnight near my residence, only to be appalled at the fact that the consultation fee, excluding medication, was $82.
I can understand why the clinic charges a higher consultation fee - they are working 'overtime'. But is there a need to mark up the fee to such an exorbitant rate?
Assuming that their normal consultation fee would not be anything more than $20, that would mean that once it's past midnight, consultation fees have been marked up four times more than the original price.
More ironically, the receptionist at that particular clinic had advised me to go to A&E because it would be $10-$20 cheaper than their charges. But, haven't we been told by the Government not to go to the A&E unnecessarily, unless it was truly an emergency?
If the purpose of clinics which open 24 hour is to cater to those who need medical aid during graveyard hours, shouldn't they ensure that their rates are also affordable?
Stephanie Aw Yong (Miss)
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