Broker Nexus exposed at SMS Hospital: Free MRIs sold for Rs 3,000

It also revealed that the brokers manage everything, from generating OPD slips and arranging doctors’ prescriptions to affixing seals themselves. Each test has a fixed rate, despite being free in government hospitals.

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To expose how the system operates, the reporters from Bhaskar posed as patients and got an MRI done within 30 minutes after paying Rs 3,000, without any OPD slip or medical consultation.

Under normal rules, a free MRI at SMS Hospital requires an OPD slip, a doctor’s written prescription, verification by radiography staff and approval by a nodal officer.

However, the sting operation showed that none of these checks were followed. Brokers managed everything from generating OPD slips using Aadhaar copies to arranging prescriptions and seals. This malpractice continues despite CCTV cameras, monitoring systems, and duty officers posted in every unit.

The investigation has exposed negligence by three key officers, under whose supervision the fraud allegedly continued. After the matter came to light, one employee has been suspended, while two others are under investigation.

At SMS Hospital’s MRI Centres No. 60 and 12, two radiographers and one nodal officer are assigned to verify patient documents, confirm doctor seals, ensure patient presence, and approve billing before conducting free MRIs. However, during the sting, this system completely failed.

During visits on December 10, 11, and again on December 18 at the MRI centre, reporters found the nodal officer’s chair, meant for monitoring patient forms, vacant for nearly an hour. Neither the nodal officer nor the two radiographers were present, allowing brokers to get OPD slips and prescriptions without patients being present.

Three officials were found negligent - the Superintendent of the radiographer team at MRI Centres No. 60 and 12. He is responsible for supervising technicians and checking patient documents. Despite having a designated cabin, he was not found at his post during multiple visits. 

The second is the radiographer at the MRI Centre, Room No. 12, posted for about a year. His duty is to verify patient documents before approving free MRI billing. No MRI can be conducted without his clearance. 

The third is the counter staff at MRI Centre, Room No. 60, who is responsible for verifying Aadhaar, Jan Aadhaar, MRI forms, and the doctor’s seal and signature before forwarding documents for scanning.

Their absence allowed MRI tests to be conducted without proper verification.

The sting operation revealed that the brokers have fixed prices for all tests, blood tests, X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. While MRIs cost Rs 3,000 to Rs 30,000 in private hospitals, brokers charge Rs 3,000–Rs 8,000 to fast-track them at SMS Hospital. Even small tests fetch Rs 1,000– RS 1,500, despite being free.

SMS Hospital has given two MRI machines to Soni Lab on a PPP mode. In Soni's own lab, SMS patients get free MRIs. Soni Lab is paid for every MRI. Additionally, the Super Speciality Block Hospital (SSB) of SMS Medical College also has its own MRI lab. 

The surprising thing is that while about 250 tests are conducted daily at Sony Lab, only 8 to 10 tests are performed daily at SSB. MRI tests are conducted for diseases related to gastroenterology, urology, and nephrology. Not only this, but patients also have to wait 2 to 3 days for reports at the government lab.

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