UP Shocker: 83 hospitals found registered under 1 Doctor's name, 15 doctors illegally serving at 449 clinical establishments

Agra: Controversy has erupted in Uttar Pradesh following a major scam that has come to light during the recent verification of license renewal applications of hospitals and clinics.

According to the IANS report, while one doctor has around 83 hospitals registered in his name in Meerut, Kanpur and various other districts of western Uttar Pradesh, over 15 doctors have been found illegally providing full-time services in 449 clinical establishments registered in their names in Agra and nearby districts.

Taking action, the authorities have issued notices to these doctors. The list of accused medical practitioners includes physicians, cardiologists, paediatricians and surgeons.

"Notices have been sent to these doctors. The matter is being investigated in detail,” Chief medical officer (CMO) Arun Kumar Srivastava confirmed while speaking to IANS.

The scam got exposed after the Uttar Pradesh government mandated that the process for renewal of licence be done online this year. It was only when the authorities noticed that people who are not medical practitioners obtain a licence in the name of a doctor from the health department to operate hospitals, clinics and pathology labs.

As per the health department records, 1,269 medical centres were registered during 2022-2023. Of these, 494 were hospitals, 493 clinics, 170 pathology labs, 104 diagnostics centres, seven sample collection centres and one dialysis centre.

So far, after due verification of clinical establishments, the health department has renewed the registration of 570 hospitals and clinics for the year 2023-24.

"In various cases, hospitals and clinics applying for renewal of licence have not provided the required details related to trained paramedical staff, compliance with fire safety norms and disposal of medical waste. Information provided regarding bed capacity and other facilities is also suspicious," an official familiar with the matter informed IANS.

Meanwhile, the President of the Indian Medical Association (Agra), Dr OP Yadav called for strict action against such malpractice. "This is a serious issue. We condemn such practices and will support the health department in taking the necessary steps. The government should also take strict action against such centres and medical practitioners associated with them," he said.