India-Pakistan match: Cricket enthusiasts look at hospitals as an alternative to hotels in Ahmedabad

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

cricket enthusiasts have found an innovative way to circumvent the skyrocketing hotel room tariffs in Ahmedabad in October this year. Instead of Hotels, many are now seeking admission in hospitals and nursing homes in the city during the period. With the much-awaited India Pakistan Cricket Match scheduled in the city on October 15, the room tariffs have already shot through the roofs with the range varying from Rs 50000 to Rs.70000 per night or even beyond during the period.

Several hospitals that ET spoke to confirmed that such requests are coming in from the NRGs who normally visit the state during this season. A full body checkup and hospitalisation for a day or two is largely being sought by the visiting NRGs, confirmed a nursing home owner, who did not want to be named. Speaking to ET, Dr.

Bharat Gadhavi, President of Ahmedabad Hospital and Nursing Home Association said that he is aware of such requests being made to the hospital owners. “However we are not entertaining such requests as full body check ups are essentially done in the OPD. Hospitalisation can only happen when the physical condition of the patient demands it,” he added.

However a senior functionary of a reputed hospital in Ahmedabad pointed out that even during festive seasons visitors tend to use this technique to save up on lodging expenses. “Since the hospitals do not charge according to seasons, it is far more economic to seek hospitalisation under the pretext of simple fever or something and one gets a room, food and some care, and people do take advantage of this” said the functionary, who requested anonymity. “This is appalling.