Cut practice allegations: Kolhapur's hospital 24 doctors under scanner for referring patients to private labs
Kolhapur: A total of 24 doctors of Kolhapur's State-run Chhatrapati Pramila Raje Hospital's Gynaecology and Obstetrics Department have been accused of referring the blood samples of patients to private laboratories for testing.
The five-member panel of senior doctors from Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Govt Medical College, noted that the blood samples were being referred to private facilities despite the fact that a 24x7 central laboratory is located on the hospital premises.
The list of 24 doctors includes professors, assistant professors, and senior and junior resident doctors.
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As per the latest media report by the Times of India, the panel from Chhatrapati Pramila Raje Hospital started probing the matter after the seniors in the hospital received complaints regarding rampant "cut practice" by the doctors. Allegedly, the agents from private labs offer their services by waiting outside the hospital's OPD. For this, these labs charge between Rs 2,000 and Rs 7,000 for the tests.
Meanwhile, the accused doctors, in their written response to the inquiry panel, said that they refer blood to private laboratories in emergencies and in cases where kits for some tests are not available.
However, when the panel checked with the laboratory officials, it found that the central laboratory had all the required tests available and the lab is also open round the clock.
The findings of the panel have been forwarded by the college administration to the State Health authorities for further action.
Commenting on the matter, the Dean of the medical college, Sadanand Bhise, told TOI, "After incidents were brought to our notice, we issued memos to the doctors concerned and warned them against indulging in such activities. Most of the required blood tests are carried out in our central laboratory; there is no need at all to refer patients to private labs. We informed the state health department about the outcome of the panel's inquiry. The decision on what kind of action against these doctors will be taken rests with the higher authorities."
"The panel found that 22 pregnant women were referred to private labs. Most of these women are from weak economic backgrounds. Such women get nearly free deliveries, medicines free of cost, and lab tests done at cheaper rates than at private labs. The doctors indicted had referred these pregnant women for complete blood count test, HIV test, liver function test, renal/kidney function test, and Hepatitis B surface antigen test, etc. As per the investigation, all these tests are done at the in-house central laboratory," he further added.
Meanwhile, Rupesh Patil, an activist who brought these malpractices to the light, added, "We wanted to bring an end to the practice being followed in the department. We expect a similar investigation in other departments where blood tests are requested. Also, we now expect action against the guilty doctors."
