HC slams parallel medical industry, orders probe into SRN Hospital doctors' private practice

The court has directed a probe into the matter, stating, “Let the matter be placed before the Chief Secretary, Government of UP, Lucknow, who shall take appropriate action against all these defaulting persons and set up a high-level enquiry against all the doctors who are indulging in private practice in the Moti Lal Nehru Medical College.”

Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal directed the state authorities to initiate a high-level inquiry into allegations against doctors reportedly involved in private practice at the medical college. While hearing a public interest litigation (PIL), the court observed that despite receiving state funding and infrastructural support, the condition of the hospital attached to the college has worsened. The bench also criticised the functioning of Rajkiya Nirman Nigam Limited, terming it unsatisfactory. It questioned why the construction of two floors of the Cardiology Department at the hospital has remained incomplete for the past two decades, reports The Indian Express.

The matter gained attention after the court was informed about a recently registered First Information Report (FIR) against an associate professor of the college and his wife. As per the details presented before the court, the doctor is allegedly operating a private nursing home.

During the hearing, the court observed that the scarcity of funds or amenities provided by the government at Moti Lal Nehru Medical College and the attached Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital are not the reason behind its deteriorated condition, but “it is the medical fraternity who is failing the object of the Government.” 

“The Professors, Associate Professors, and Lecturers are practicing in private nursing homes and are running a parallel medical industry in the city of Prayagraj. These doctors are performing surgery and keeping the patients in a private setup, who are transferred from the Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital,” the Allahabad High Court noted in its order dated May 4. The court noted that, according to a previous order, the district magistrate, Prayagraj, was supposed to look into the allegations of private practice by doctors serving as professors, associate professors, and lecturers at the medical college, but there has been no further progress on the matter, and no report has been filed.

The court further added that the current case addresses the deplorable state of Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital, where the doctors seem to be keener on sending the patients to their private facilities than treating them in the government hospital. Recognising the seriousness of the issue, the bench instructed the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh to step in and order a high-level probe, reports The Daily.

The Allahabad High Court also asked the Chief Secretary to oversee ongoing construction work at Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital, which remains incomplete after 20 years despite government funds being sanctioned. The matter has been listed for the next hearing on May 26.