Refferal of patients to private labs, Paediatrician under scanner

Patiala: Accusations of referring patients to a private lab has now brought a city-based paediatrician associated with Government Rajindra Hospital under the scanner of higher authorities after the Medical Superintendent conducted a surprise inspection of the hospital the doctor was working in.

According to a recent report by Tribune, the matter came into light when the Medical Superintendent, Rajan Singla, visited the OPD of the Pediatrics Department at the Mother and Child Health building. He went to discuss a matter related to the government-run scheme Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK). The official got suspicious when he saw two people sitting in the OPD. When queried, they admitted that they were medical representatives of a private lab.

In the meantime, when patients were questioned in regarding the referral, they revealed that they were being reportedly referred to a private lab by one Dr Kaur, a well-known paediatrician and was awarded at national and international level for her work.

After getting to know about the incident, the Deputy Medical Superintendent and Principal of Government Medical College reached the place.

Read Also: Doctor not essential to run basic pathology labs: Health Ministry directs implementation

Sources informed the daily Tribune that patients were being referred for basic blood tests which were being conducted at the hospital lab.The Medical Superintendent informed the daily, "We recorded the statements of the patients in front of everyone and they admitted they were being referred to a private lab. I have sent a report to higher officials."

The Principal of the Government Medical College, Patiala stated that the matter will be forwarded to the higher authorities.

However, Dr Kaur denied any such allegations. She told the Tribune, "The patient had pleaded that he was in a hurry, so I wrote some blood test, but I didn't refer the patient to a private lab. I am being framed by the authorities. The patients are being pressured to record the statement."