PHC officials accused of exploiting patients

Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, April 24

City-based activists of various social organisations organised a dharna in front of Primary Health Centre at local town to protest against the alleged exploitation of patients at the hands of doctors and their associates.

Unauthorised station leaving, late coming, prescribing expensive medicines to patients for commission and demanding of money for surgeries; were some major allegations labeled against a surgeon and other doctors.

Denying charges of demanding money on any pretext, Senior Medical Officer, Dr Pratibha Sahu Verma, said, a showcause notice to surgeon Dr Pritpal Singh had already been issued and action would be taken if charges were proved.

President Samay Sewa Samiti Vikas Sharma, SAD leader Aman Afridee and former councilor Yaseen Mohammad alleged services at the centre at local town had been deteriorating regularly for a long time. All complaints made by victim patients and residents had fallen on deaf ear. Sharma, Afreedy, Mohammad, Congress leader Vicky Tandon and councillor Nirmal Singh Phallewal said the surgeon at the hospital had been harassing poor patients by demanding huge amounts for performing surgeries. The health authorities had failed to take any action against erring doctors despite receiving a number of complaints against him. Meanwhile, councillors led by president municipal council have urged the state health minister, Braham Mohindra, to take a stern action against Dr Pritpal Singh who had misbehaved with a few pweople on last Saturday.