Patients allege payments taken in personal accounts after 4 pm, MS, CMO Bandipora assure inquiry
Bandipora: After 4 pm every day, District Hospital Bandipora allegedly turns into a parallel system where volunteers and students collect money from patients into their personal accounts instead of government accounts, with locals alleging that the administration has failed to take action.
Several attendants complained that after 4 pm, when most permanent employees leave duty, volunteers and students take control of hospital operations, allegedly disrupting the smooth functioning of the hospital.
Mehnaza, an attendant, said she visited the hospital for an X-ray of her patient on May 7, during which a student allegedly conducted the procedure and demanded Rs 150, asking her to transfer the amount to his personal account, even though the official fee for the service is Rs 100, according to hospital records.
Mehnaza, who shared a screenshot of the transaction with this reporter, alleged that she was forced to transfer the money to the individual’s personal account. She questioned the overall functioning of the hospital and demanded strict action against the practice.
The alleged practice is not limited to the X-ray section, as reports suggest similar incidents are taking place in the ECG and other sections, where students are following the same pattern. Locals termed the practice unfortunate and demanded strict action against those involved.
“It is a hospital meant for public welfare. When such practices are taking place here, it amounts to a grave violation of rules and the official functioning of the hospital,” said Imtiyaz Hussain, a local resident.
Locals held the hospital administration accountable, alleging that no strict action is ever taken against such violations, which they said has allowed the practice to continue unchecked.
Locals further alleged that after 4 pm, the hospital is effectively handed over to students and volunteers, who can be seen working across various sections, while most permanent staff members, except doctors, remain absent.
“Hospital is meant for public welfare and its money should be used for its development so that locals can benefit from better facilities. But when parallel cash collection centres are allegedly operating inside the hospital and money is being transferred to the personal accounts of students during night hours, what will happen to the institution?” said Ishfaq Ahmad, a local resident.
Locals appealed to the district administration Bandipora and the Director Health Services Kashmir to initiate strict action against the alleged parallel business culture in the hospital.
Furthermore, patients alleged that during deliveries, attendants are asked to pay unofficial ‘treat money’ after the birth of babies, and demanded action against the practice.
Meanwhile, permanent staff members at the hospital said the facility is facing an acute shortage of manpower, forcing the administration to utilize students for various duties. They appealed to higher authorities to fill the staffing gaps at the hospital.
Meanwhile, the Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr. Mukhtar, assured action against those allegedly involved in the practice. However, locals claimed that similar assurances from hospital authorities in the past were never followed by concrete action.
Incharge CMO Bandipora, Dr Tahira, said she will look into the matter and take it up with the hospital administration, adding that those found involved will face action.-(KNS).
