SN Medical College junior doctor suspended after viral video alleges Rs 300 ECG charge
Agra: A junior doctor at SN Medical College, Agra, has been suspended for 15 days after a viral video allegedly showed patients being charged Rs 300 for ECG tests in a government hospital ward, despite the prescribed fee being Rs 68. Following an internal inquiry, the college administration also issued a warning to the concerned department, citing negligence in the incident.
The action comes days after a video circulated on social media alleging that an individual posing as a private employee was collecting money from patients for ECG tests inside the orthopaedic ward of the hospital's New Surgery Building. The incident raised concerns over unauthorised persons operating within the government hospital and charging patients for diagnostic services.
According to the college administration, the suspended junior doctor will not be allowed to attend to patients during the suspension period. The Principal also directed the department to ensure that similar lapses do not occur in the future.
The administration clarified that it has an adequate number of ECG machines and that patients do not need to pay any outside individual for ECG services. It urged patients and their attendants to immediately report anyone demanding money for ECGs or other investigations within the hospital premises instead of making any payment.
According to Dainik Bhaskar, the viral video alleged that an individual was charging ₹300 for ECG tests despite the government-approved fee being ₹68. When questioned, the person reportedly refused to reveal his identity. The incident also raised questions about the hospital's security and monitoring system, with many asking how an unauthorised person gained access to enter the ward and collected money from patients.
Earlier, the concerned department had stated that it was unable to identify the individual seen in the viral video. However, following the inquiry, the medical college acknowledged lapses in supervision and initiated disciplinary action.
The Principal said the college is committed to providing transparent and quality healthcare services. He added that any irregularities affecting patient care or hospital functioning would be dealt with as per the rules.
