The Union Health Ministry has sought a report from Punjab Government about the alleged corruption and existence of ghost facility in most of the medical colleges in the State.
The move followed a Prime Minister Office’s letter which had taken cognisance of Punjab Medical Council President Dr GS Grewal’s complaint. Grewal had sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention into alleged corruption in the medical education system in the Northern State.
In a letter to the Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, the Union Health Ministry has asked it to investigate the matter and inform the PMC president with a copy to the ministry as well.
Dr Grewal alleged rampant medical corruption in the state and the existence of ghost faculty in most of the medical colleges. He also alleged the political interference in patronising the corrupt as also the ghost faculty.
The corruption cases against the doctors involved sponsored foreign trips and massive bribe paid by pharmaceutical companies.
But the State Government has not taken any action against the accused so far, he added.
Welcoming Union Health Ministry’s move seeking a probe into the matter, Dr Grewal said after exhausting all the options, he had finally written to the Prime Minister seeking his personal intervention in prevention of medical corruption.
The PMC president said that he was encouraged by the PMO’s prompt response and the orders for action in this matter. He said, it was the need of the hour as the poor continue to suffer for lack of medical care as they cannot afford it.