Tribune News Service

Patiala, July 2

The staff of the Samana Civil Hospital have complained against the Senior Medical Officer (SMO), their own boss, who is in-charge of the hospital.

In a written complaint to the Health Minister, the staff alleged that the SMO took duty rounds at the hospital in an inebriated condition. The staff also alleged that the doctor would come on duty in clothes that were unbecoming of a position he held.

In the complaint, a copy of which is with The Tribune, the hospital staff alleged that the doctor demanded money from them. “He asks for money from the staff. He threatens to get us transferred if we fail to give him money,” the staff stated in the complaint.

The SMO has also been accused of asking the staff to feed his pet dog at the hospital. The staff has demanded that the SMO should immediately be transferred from the Samana Civil Hospital.

Meanwhile, Dr Karamjit Singh, SMO, Samana, said all allegations were baseless. “I have recently been awarded by the department for my work during the Covid pandemic. The complaint against me is out of vendetta because I have stopped the staff from indulging in illegal activities.”

“I am not afraid of any fair inquiry into the matter, but I will not allow the staff to indulge in unlawful practices inside hospital,” the SMO further added.

When asked about the complaint, Dr Parveen Puri, Assistant Civil Surgeon, Patiala, said, “We have already received a copy of the complaint. We will send it to the higher authorities.”