Date:19/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/19/stories/2008101955220300.htm

Other States - Orissa

SCB caught in yet another controversy

Correspondent

Patients complain that the free medicines meant for patients are not available

CUTTACK: The SCB Medical College and Hospital here has once again caught into major controversies over alleged misappropriation of hospital medicines and other medical accessories which are supposed to be distributed freely among the patients.

Following widespread media reports over such allegations, senior hospital authorities discussed the issue at a high-level meeting here on Saturday under the supervision of Director of medical education and training (DMET) P.K.Dash.

The DMET however, when contacted, denied the allegations but added that there has not been any specific complaint on this.

“We discussed about certain internal administrative issues on Saturday and there was no discussion on misappropriation of free medicines”, the DMET said. However, there are allegations galore in almost all departments of the hospital where the patients and their attendants complain that the free medicines meant for patients are not available. Instead, the free medicines are sold to patients by some agents who are very active in the hospital taking advantage of weak administration.

Sources said these dalals freely move inside the hospital wards posing as attendants and in connivance with hospital staff carry on their illegal and unethical trade.

In case any patient refuses to purchase medicines from these dalals, he or she invites the ire of the hospital staff and treatment is neglected. The dalals also influence the attendants saying a better and guaranteed treatment could be arranged in private hospitals. They even offer to arrange medicines at a lower price to lure the patients. The dalals also get involved in newborn baby swapping and baby selling cases.