NAGPUR: Based on the complaint of state BJP president Rao Saheb Danve, an enquiry is underway against two doctors of the Super Speciality Hospital (SSH) cardiothoracic vascular surgery (CVTS) department. The complaint alleges that these two doctors refer patients to private hospitals, and then perform surgeries on the patients under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojna in private hospitals. This deprives SSH of the money released under the scheme for the surgeries.
The complaint also claims SSH and the insurance company suffered a loss of Rs22 lakh due to this. Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) dean Dr A Niswade confirmed that Danve had filed a complaint against the two doctors, and an internal enquiry had been conducted. A departmental enquiry is also likely to take place in the future.
It is alleged that these two doctors have referred 83 patients to one private hospital on some or the other pretext. "The patients registered under the scheme first come to SSH. But the doctors here only conduct all diagnostic tests. Thereafter, they try to delay the surgery by saying that the operation can't be done due to availability of certain medicines, equipment etc. Since the patients are in a hurry to get the surgery done, the doctors send them to a particular hospital where they are attached," said a source.
TOI spoke to both the doctors named in the complaint. The senior doctor said that they were not referring any patient anywhere. "The patient is free to go wherever the scheme is available. We go to private hospitals and operate there because we are on their panel. It is the patient's choice. He has the right to get operated wherever he is comfortable. Yes, an enquiry has been conducted on the issue, and this is what we have told the enquiry also," he said.
The other doctor said that he was not availing the non-practice allowance (NPA), and was free to practice outside. "Otherwise too, my case is in the court. Till the judgement comes, I am free to operate in private hospitals," he said.
However, the chief of Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) Dr Pravin Shingare said that the government has issued a GR preventing every doctor in government sector from practicing in private, irrespective of his taking NPA or not. "There is a case in the court, and we will fight it there too. But, as of now, DMER officials and the medical education secretary will be in Nagpur on Monday and hear the two doctors. Their side needs to be heard too. On Monday, we will decide the future course of action," said Dr Shingare.
The complaint also claims SSH and the insurance company suffered a loss of Rs22 lakh due to this. Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) dean Dr A Niswade confirmed that Danve had filed a complaint against the two doctors, and an internal enquiry had been conducted. A departmental enquiry is also likely to take place in the future.
It is alleged that these two doctors have referred 83 patients to one private hospital on some or the other pretext. "The patients registered under the scheme first come to SSH. But the doctors here only conduct all diagnostic tests. Thereafter, they try to delay the surgery by saying that the operation can't be done due to availability of certain medicines, equipment etc. Since the patients are in a hurry to get the surgery done, the doctors send them to a particular hospital where they are attached," said a source.
TOI spoke to both the doctors named in the complaint. The senior doctor said that they were not referring any patient anywhere. "The patient is free to go wherever the scheme is available. We go to private hospitals and operate there because we are on their panel. It is the patient's choice. He has the right to get operated wherever he is comfortable. Yes, an enquiry has been conducted on the issue, and this is what we have told the enquiry also," he said.
The other doctor said that he was not availing the non-practice allowance (NPA), and was free to practice outside. "Otherwise too, my case is in the court. Till the judgement comes, I am free to operate in private hospitals," he said.
However, the chief of Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) Dr Pravin Shingare said that the government has issued a GR preventing every doctor in government sector from practicing in private, irrespective of his taking NPA or not. "There is a case in the court, and we will fight it there too. But, as of now, DMER officials and the medical education secretary will be in Nagpur on Monday and hear the two doctors. Their side needs to be heard too. On Monday, we will decide the future course of action," said Dr Shingare.
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