Bribery accusations on Ariyalur Medical College staff

Ariyalur: The complaints of bribery have been piling up at Ariyalur Medical College Hospital where the majority of people from low-income groups claimed that they have been forced to pay Rs 50 for an outpatient slip before receiving the treatment.

The hospital has been receiving an average of 2,000 patients every day since the inauguration of the hospital this year. In recent days, the hospital staff has been demanding money before providing institutional care from the people who can't afford private healthcare.

An incident occurred at the hospital when a local admitted his uncle where he was forced to bribe a hospital staff before the admission.

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While speaking with The New Indian Express, M Kumar, an attendant to his uncle who was admitted to the hospital stated that "On Tuesday, my uncle suffered a heart attack while toiling in a sugarcane field at Kovilpalayam village. We immediately rushed him to Ariyalur Medical College Hospital by '108' ambulance. The nurses asked us for an OP slip to admit him to the emergency ward. When I went to collect it, the hospital staff demanded a bribe of Rs 50 for the slip. When I asked, she said that everyone must pay for it. Then I handed over the amount and got the slip, and admitted my uncle. She did not give a receipt for the payment made," he added.

"Later, when I enquired, it was revealed that they (hospital staff) demanded the bribe of Rs 50 from all outpatients. We approach the government hospital owing to not having the means to go to a private hospital. The district administration should inspect and take action," he added.

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It was not only Kumar who had to deal with this situation, other residents also complained about it.

R Sankar, a resident of Ariyalur told, "After the opening of the medical college hospital, many come in the hope of getting better treatment. It is from this crowd that the staff are collecting bribes of Rs 50 to Rs 100. This is reprehensible. The staff cleverly hide the money collected in their notebooks. Many patients suffer when not being in a position to give it."

After several citing took place at the hospital, higher-ups were informed of the situation. After getting in touch with the hospital, a senior official stated that several steps have been taken to prevent such incidents. "The issue brought to notice took place without our knowledge. We will take steps to prevent it from happening again," he added.

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