Bhubaneswar: State Government has issued instructions for strict monitoring and necessary crackdown on brokers indulged in diverting patients to private clinics and hospitals in Out Patient Department (OPD)s of Government Hospitals
Secretary Health & Family Welfare, Shalini Pandit has asked the authorities of the Medical and Health Institutions to be alert over unwanted elements operating in the premises of the Government Health Care Institutions.
In a letter she has pointed out that it has come to notice that some unwanted elements are operating in the premises of high case load Government hospitals, in the guise of helping the patients coming from far flung areas to locate the Out Patient Departments (OPDs).
They demand money from the patient’s families with the false assurance of free treatment in private hospitals/ clinics.
The said elements are often allegedly persuading patients to seek treatment in private clinics on the false information that there is no proper medical facility available at the Government hospitals.
Secretary Health & FW has asked the authorities to alert all faculties, treating doctors, paramedics, and other staff of the Government hospitals to exercise strict vigil in the matter and take immediate remedial measures upon noticing any such activity in the premises of -Government hospitals.
The station in-charge of the local Police Station may be promptly intimated about the matter for detention of such elements and initiation of appropriate legal action against them.
In case any faculty, treating doctor, paramedic, and other staff of the Government hospital is found operating in connivance with such elements and/ or aiding and abetting them, necessary administrative actions may be initiated against them under CCA Rules apart from appropriate legal action.
Further, you are requested to take immediate steps to put in place proper signboards in Odia and English, from the point of entrance to the hospital, giving clear directions / route chart to the location of various OPD Departments.
The name of the OPD in Odia and English should be displayed in front of each OPD of different treating Departments for knowledge of patients and their relatives.
This may be treated as “Most Urgent”. Deviation, if any, in this regard shall be viewed adversely by the Department, warned Secretary Health & Family Welfare.