Lawyers gherao Keonjhar CDMO's office over plaint

KEONJHAR: Members of Keonjhar bar association gheraoed the office of the chief district medical officer (CDMO) after an orthopaedic doctor of the district headquarters hospital allegedly demanded Rs 40,000 to perform an operation. The lawyers demanded action against Dr Anil Kumar Panda and free treatment for the patient. The protest was called off after assurance that their demands would be looked into.
CDMO Dr K C Prusty said, "I had issued a warning to the doctor after receiving allegations and told him not to repeat it again. The doctor has been directed to operate on the patient free of cost."
The CDMO also agreed that there is no facility in the hospital to perform operation on orthopaedic patients. "I had written to the government to provide equipment so that surgeries can be performed free of cost."
Ashish Chakraberty, president of Keonjhar bar association, said "it is very shameful that poor patients are exploited by doctors, despite the government having declared free treatment for all."
Sources said that Lipsa Munda, a two-year-old girl had came with her parents to the DHH hospital for operation on the finger of her right arm. After the examination, the doctor allegedly demanded Rs 40,000 for the operation.
Dr Panda refuted allegations that he had demanded money for the operation. "I told the patient there is no operation facility in the DHH. If they go to a private hospital, Rs 40,000 will be required. If you have a BKSY card, then it will be free."