Date:01/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/01/stories/2006080122510300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Scam involving fake out-patient slips at Minto Eye Hospital unearthed

Staff Reporter

Doctor prints out-patient slips and distributes them to patients

Prof Surendra Doctor suspended on Friday

Surendra has been distributing the fake out-patient slips for the past six months

BANGALORE: The Medical Education Department has unearthed a scam involving fake out-patient slips in Minto Eye Hospital.

The Department found that H.R. Surendra of the hospital printed his own out-patient slips, which he then distributed to his patients. He kept the proceeds from the cases for himself. For each out-patient slip that is distributed, the doctor is supposed to collect Rs. 5 from the patient. At the end of the day, the money is sent to the financial controller of the hospital. The scam came to light when a patient showed the slip to the Hospital Superintendent.

A highly-placed source in the Medical Education Department said Prof. Surendra had been distributing the fake out-patient slips for the past six months. The professor was warned to stop this practice two months ago.

He was also warned to stop treating undertrial Manta Lingayya at the hospital. The undertrial had been treated for three weeks at a speciality ward of the hospital despite police protest.

Prof. Surendra was suspended from Minto Eye hospital on Friday. Medical Education Department sources said they recovered a box full of fake out-patient receipts.