Odisha: PRMMCH doctors diverting patients to private hospitals

Baripada: Following a complaint about doctors and hospital staff diverting patients to private hospitals, the Superintendent of Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital (PRMMCH) sought a report from the HOD of the concerned department in this regard. 

Although there have been several reports in the past about touts diverting patients from the government to private hospitals for profit, this time the brokers are doctors and medical staff of a government hospital.

Due to the alleged involvement in the activity, PRMMCH is under the spotlight of controversy and heavy backlash from the patients and their attendants. The incident is causing damage to the reputation of the hospital as patients are calling out the doctors and staff who are involved in the matter.

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported about the action taken against the touts for diverting patients to private hospitals after the Odisha Health and Family Welfare Department (H&FW) issued a letter ordering strict monitoring and crackdown against such agents.

Also read- Odisha: Govt Orders Crackdown On Touts Diverting Patients To Private Hospitals

This comes after a patient reported the alleged diversion of patients to the hospital's superintendent when found no other options available to stop the force.

The patient identified as Amarjit who disclosed the incident was refused surgery by doctors at the hospital. The incident goes back to Feb 15 when Amarjit, a native of the Damodarpur area on Baripada outskirts, visited the hospital for a check-up for his deteriorating health condition.

After conducting his checkup, the doctor advised him to undergo surgery on November 16 but the date was later changed to December 26. However, the doctor was absent when Amarjit visited the hospital on the mentioned date.

One day later, Amarjit went to the hospital again and finally met the doctor. Although he was ready to get the surgery but was shocked to witness the doctor advising him to get the surgery done at a private hospital explaining that the government hospital lacks proper facilities.

Angered and irritated over the advice, he rejected the offer and was shown the exit by the hospital staff. Government hospitals are obliged to offer free healthcare services as per the rules laid down by the central government, but Amarjit was denied access to those benefits.

Leaving the OPD department, Amarjit went to the superintendent of PRMMCH Dr Pratibha Panda and informed him about the current behaviours and actions of the medical professionals towards the patients. Following this, a complaint was lodged against the concerned employees responsible for the incident.

When Orissa Post reported the patient's side regarding the incident, it was revealed that the patient alleged the doctors are getting lured by the private hospitals with attractive offerings through their agents and the staff members at the government hospital are working behind the scene to send the patients to the private hospitals.

Bashing the doctors, they said that it is a disgrace to the government’s welfare schemes which aims to provide free treatment to poor patients. Demanding action against the issue, they are looking forward to the superintendent who confirmed that action will be taken after receiving the report.

Also read- Odisha: 6 Middlemen Held For Diverting Patients From MKCG Medical College And Hospital