Dr. Neeraj Nagpal, a noted gastroenterologist and the convener of MLAG (medio-legal action group) explains why a doctor's consultation charges should correspond to the amount of risk he/she takes.

My Consultation Fee is Rs. 500, Rs. 800, and Rs. 2500

A professional’s fee for services depends on the type of work done. For extremely high-risk work, obviously, higher charges are mandated. A doctor doing high-risk surgery where life is at risk consequently charges more. However, there is another type of risk doctors undertake which is independent of the disease of a patient.

It is the differential monetary compensation claim which could arise from treating patients of different socioeconomic groups. So the question arises-