* H&ME establishes nexus between docs, Pvt Labs
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 30: The Health Department has established that there is a nexus between doctors and private labs at SDH Magam in district Budgam while the ACB will be looking into the issue of embezzlement of funds at SDH Kralpora in Kupwara.
The H&ME said surprise inspections were conducted by a team of Officials of the Health & Medical Department at SDH Magam and SDH Kralpora Kupwara in Kashmir Division recently.
The complaint regarding SDH Magam, H&ME said, pertained to an alleged nexus between some doctors and diagnostic labs located outside the hospitals that were sending the patients for testing to the private labs outside the hospital.
“On inspection, it was found that minor laboratory tests were being sent outside and a deep nexus exists between some Doctors and these Labs and a digital trail exists between some Doctors with the said Labs,” it said.
The department said that it was established that some poor patients are duped and they are spending money out of their pockets for the said tests while reiterating that the Govt is committed to providing free Public Health care to the patients without any out of the pocket expenditure.
Regarding SDH Kralpora in Kupwara, it said that a discreet report was received from field agencies indicating misuse of vehicles meant for Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Yojna (RBSK) for ferrying passengers between Kralpora and Kupwara.
“It was reported that funds meant for Health Care Infrastructure are being siphoned off through illegal means. The Pharmacists of the Block are operating their private Clinics and hospital supplies are being sold at these private shops,” it said.
It said that the authorities while taking strong note, have ordered a deep probe into the matter and decided that the matter be entrusted to Anti Corruption Bureau and the Crime Branch J&K to book the culprits under law.
“Directions have been issued that the doctors and Para-Medics indulging in unethical practices and causing hardships for the general public be identified and removed from services by declaring them deadwood,” the department said.
The Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, Vivik Bhardwaj, has appealed to the Medical fraternity to hold high ethical and moral values and discipline while discharging their duties and doing justice to this highly noble profession.
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