At the clinical skills centre we have set up at BMC, we have fixed some nominal charges for the courses. It is Rs. 1500=00 for a one day undergraduate course and Rs. 5000=00 for a 3 day postgraduate course. How did we fix this amount? We actually did a costing exercise before fixing this fee. We included the cost of consumables like sutures, suturing pads, the animal tissues that we buy, the honorarium we pay the mentors and the fixed cost of salaries to the 3 employees at the centre. We did not include capital costs as we have no loan to service - all the infrastructure came through donations and the space, electricity and water come gratis from BMC. As a gesture to BMC we reduced the cost to BMC students by 40% of the above mentioned amount for PGs and made the course free for UGs.
With this approach, the actual expenditure is about 2500=00 per day; but we kept it low because of assurances that the sutures and some props would be donated by the industry. With this fee structure we are self sufficient. Mind you, it still does not cover attrition; if any equipment conks out, we have raise donations again to replace it.
This long preamble is just to air the fact that practically everyone seems to think that the fee is too high and that we are trying to make a profit with this activity!! The university team objected; the college objected; I had one to one meetings, explaining the logic of costing and produced documentary evidence for the same. The fee was, in fact, fixed after getting clearances from these authorities.
Now the candidates are complaining!! They like the course very much, but say that the costs are high!!
How do I explain the following?
With this approach, the actual expenditure is about 2500=00 per day; but we kept it low because of assurances that the sutures and some props would be donated by the industry. With this fee structure we are self sufficient. Mind you, it still does not cover attrition; if any equipment conks out, we have raise donations again to replace it.
This long preamble is just to air the fact that practically everyone seems to think that the fee is too high and that we are trying to make a profit with this activity!! The university team objected; the college objected; I had one to one meetings, explaining the logic of costing and produced documentary evidence for the same. The fee was, in fact, fixed after getting clearances from these authorities.
Now the candidates are complaining!! They like the course very much, but say that the costs are high!!
How do I explain the following?
- The cost of similar courses abroad runs into hundreds of pounds and dollars? Perhaps 10-15 times more expensive than the costs here.
- Somebody has to pay for the actuals - there are no free lunches in this world!!
- Unless we are self sufficient, we may not be able to survive and continue the training; depending on donations for everything is incorrect.
- knowledge and skill learning is an investment which fetches huge returns.
I would love your inputs on this issue.
Dr Lakshman
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately in our country people except everything to be subsidised.I am not a surgeon but looking at what you are charging it is very reasonable and the same course done abroad costs a fortune.I congratulate you for your initiative.If more people start enrolling,the cost economics will work
praveen
Dear Doc,
ReplyDelete"knowledge and skill learning is an investment which fetches huge returns."
I would like to re-emphasize on the above statement.
I believe that courses, seminars, lectures, books etc are to be invested upon.
Only then, a student will take it seriously and learn something out of it. Most people splurge money like crazy for new years eve, birthday parties but expect subsidies and charity courses and seminars when it comes to education and career building. Your rates sound absolutely reasonable. And also, you can be sure that those students who turn up for the course are the ones who really want to learn something there and take back home some knowledge.