There have been complaints that the agents of the private hospitals in the city have a free run in the JAH Group of Hospitals. These agents induce patients, especially the poor and the illiterate to get admitted in private hospitals for better treatment and medical facilities.
The agents are given good commission for each patient they bring to a non government medical unit.
It has been brought to the notice of the authorities many times that some of the medical staff at the JAH and the agents of private hospitals have developed a well-oiled mechanism to let the medical business of the private hospitals boom. It might not be an exaggeration to state that most of the private hospitals depend on the government hospitals for business.
Taking a serious view of this situation, Dr Ashok Mishra, the newly appointed Medical Superintend of the JAH conducted a surprise inspection check around midnight yesterday to catch the agents red handed.
While the inspection check failed to find any agents in the hospital premises, it was found that the wards at the causality and trauma centers were dirty and soiled.
During the inspection some patients complained to the MS that they were not given blankets and bed sheets. Dr Mishra instructed the medical staff to immediately arrange blankets and bed sheets.
Dr Mishra also asked the medical staff at the OPD and the night duty staff to wear their identity cards while on duty.
This step is seen as a way to make out agents who, till now have been freely roaming in the hospital premises.
Earlier, while taking charge as the Joint Director and The Medical Superintend of the JAH, Dr Mishra had said that one of his priorities is to get rid of the agents of the private hospitals from the JAH premises. He had also warned that criminal cases will be filed against the agents and the private hospitals they represent.
Speaking to the media persons, Dr Mishra said that he had received information that agents of private hospitals are roaming around the OPD and the Trauma Centre, hence the surprise check.
He added that such surprise checks will be conducted periodically.