AIIMS New Delhi orders crackdown on presence of private hospital, labs touts on campus

New Delhi: Ordering a major crackdown on the touts of various private organizations including labs, hospitals, device manufacturers, pharma etc, the newly appointed AIIMS director has recently issued a strict directive barring the entry of unidentified individuals, vendors and agents from its campus.

AIIMS Director Dr M Srinivas on Friday issued a circular asking all doctors and medical staff to immediately report on such elements.

Also Read:AIIMS New Delhi: Cell phone use banned for OPD registration counter staff

"All the doctors, nurses, and staff members are hereby instructed that even on the slightest suspicion of the presence of any unauthorised or unidentified person in the campus or around the departments or areas of the campus be immediately reported to special WhatsApp number 935-502-3969. The security staff shall ensure that all such persons are handed over to the AIIMS Police outpost for trespassing and exploiting patients," the circular issued by Dr M Srinivas reads.

Dr. Srinivas said that these unidentified or unauthorized individuals belong to certain private hospitals, companies, laboratories, radiology centres etc.

"It is observed that some unidentified or unauthorized individuals belonging to certain private companies, hospital laboratories, radiology centres, establishments etc are roaming inside AIIMS campus to seek monetary gain from the patients visiting AIIMS New Delhi. It is also learned that they are facilitating OPD cards and admissions at AIIMS. These agents are also offering and diverting patients from the laboratory, radiology investigations at private laboratories, radiology centres some of these agents are selling medications, disposable surgical items and implants etc.," he said

"All such other unidentified individuals, vendors and agents, etc, are strictly barred from AIIMS, New Delhi Campus," the circular further reads.

Dr Srinivas directed the security staff to ensure that all such persons are handed over to the AIIMS Police outpost for trespassing and exploiting patients.

"The security staff shall ensure that all such persons are handed over to the AIIMS Police outpost for trespassing and exploiting patients. That information may also be shared confidentially to the official email id director@aiims.edu. Identity of the staff who report about such unauthorised persons would be kept confidential and appropriate action will be taken to stop the exploitation of the patients," mentioned the circular.

It is mentioned in the circular that if any such unauthorized person agent is found, in any part of the campus, the respective area in-charges like senior resident doctors, faculty, nursing officer, other staff shall also be held responsible and deemed to be helping these agents or touts and disciplinary action as deemed fit shall be taken.

Also Read:AIIMS bars doctors, faculties to interact with media, only designated officials with prior approval allowed

"Wearing the designated uniform and displaying ID cards is a simple method to enhance the security at the workplace. This will enable us to identify any unauthorized or unidentified individuals within the campus. !fence all the staff of AIIMS shall ensure that ID cards are worn within the campus. In addition, the staff working in Operation theatre shall have their names embroidered on their scrubs," the circular added

The circular directed the Doctors, Nursing staff and other staff to specifically report any such presence/ movement of unauthorized agents at hospital premises.

" Heads of the departments are also hereby requested to ensure that, all the waiting lists are attended which will prevent the patients from falling into the trap of these agents and getting exploited financially. The administration shall provide the necessary support to all the Heads of the departments as and where necessary which will enable them to complete the waiting lists," it said

" If any such unauthorized person/agent is found in any part of the campus, the respective area in-charges [ Senior Resident doctor / Faculty / Nursing officer / other staff] shall also be held responsible and deemed to be helping these agents/ touts and disciplinary action as deemed fit shall be taken," it strictly added