Doctor booked for extorting money for surgery, Sacked

Pune: A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against a doctor from the department of surgery at Symbiosis University Hospital and Research Centre (SUHRC) in Lavale, Pune, for allegedly extorting Rs 20,000 from a relative of an elderly patient before performing surgery for a gall bladder-related ailment. 

In addition to being booked with relevant charges, the doctor has been terminated from service for violating the code of ethics, and the institution forwarded the matter to the National Medical Commission and the Maharashtra Medical Council for action.

As per a TOI news report, the doctor reportedly informed the relative that the patient's condition was serious and that the surgery would only be performed if the payment was made in advance. Therefore, he allegedly collected the money illegally.  

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The alleged act violated the existing health policies of the institution, as the policy clearly specifies that the institute provides free treatments to all patients coming to the general wing since it is a charitable health hub dedicated to catering to every patient irrespective of their financial condition. 

The relative of the patient claimed that they were forced to give the amount since the doctor instilled fear in them by alleging that possible complications may arise if treatment was delayed. Instead of providing proper treatment, the relative claimed that the doctor extorted money from them. 

The incident came to light after the patient's relative filed a complaint against the doctor at the Bavdhan Police station. In his complaint, the 38-year-old man alleged that he took his aunt to the SUHRC on April 4 for the treatment of a gall bladder-related ailment. 

Over the next few days, he noticed that the doctor did not provide a proper treatment but instead told them that their aunt's condition was serious and needed immediate surgery. For this, he demanded Rs 20,000 before processing the operation. In fear, they handed him the money. 

The complainant stated that the doctor made it clear the surgery would only be performed if the payment was made upfront. He warned them that the patient’s life would be at risk if the operation wasn’t performed.

Following this, the police registered a case under Sections 308(1) and 308(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) based on the complaint. As of now, no arrest has been made. 

Dr Rajiv Yeravdekar, SUHRC provost, faculty of medical and health science, confirmed to TOI that "The doctor charged the patient in gross violation of the existing policies at the institution. We therefore terminated the doctor from service for violating the code of ethics and intimated this action to the National Medical Commission and the Maharashtra Medical Council. Patients who are not covered under any scheme are funded by Symbiosis Society Foundation towards expenses at the hospital."

Sub-inspector Devidas Phad from Bavdhan police station said, "The relative told us that as it is a charitable trust's hospital, it provides free treatment to patients in the general wing. The doctor, who was treating his aunt, told him that the woman's condition was critical and needed immediate treatment. According to the complainant, the doctor told him that if he wanted to save the life of his aunt, he needed to give the doctor money for an operation. He would treat the woman only after receiving the money."

Further, Phad added, "He stated in the complaint that the doctor took Rs 20,000 from him. He approached the police station on Wednesday and lodged a complaint. We registered an FIR under section 308 (extortion) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the doctor."

An investigation is underway in this regard. 

This incident comes just days after the death of the wife of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLC Amit Gorkhe's secretary. Medical Dialogues had reported that a seven-month pregnant woman carrying twins died after allegedly being denied admission at the Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune due to non-payment of an advance of Rs 10 lakh. The 30-year-old woman was reportedly facing severe pregnancy-related complications when she was rushed to the hospital, but was turned away for treatment.

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