Madhepura Private Clinic Sealed Following Patient Death and Extortion Allegations
The health department in Madhepura, acting on the directive of District Magistrate Abhishek Ranjan, sealed a private clinic on Friday after receiving serious complaints of extortion and medical negligence. This decisive action came in response to allegations from patients who claimed the clinic charged exorbitant fees and harassed them, with one case tragically resulting in the death of a newborn.
Patient Complaint Triggers Swift Action
The health department's intervention was initiated after a formal complaint was filed by Prakash Mandal and his wife Meera Devi, residents of Rasna village in ward number 9 under the Gwalpara police station area of Madhepura. Meera Devi recounted a harrowing experience where, after experiencing labor pain, she was first rushed to the Gwalpara Primary Health Centre. From there, a doctor referred her to the Madhepura Sadar Hospital for further care.
An ambulance was hired to transport Meera to Madhepura, but during the journey, some brokers intercepted the vehicle. They advised her caretakers to take her to a private hospital instead, falsely claiming that the government hospital was facing a severe bed shortage. Following this misleading advice, her caretakers diverted to the private clinic.
Allegations of Extortion and Negligence
Meera Devi alleged that upon arrival at the private hospital, the administration demanded over Rs 50,000 for treatment. Shockingly, she further claimed that the newborn was left uncared for, which ultimately led to the infant's death. "We were forcibly driven out of the hospital," she added, highlighting the distressing circumstances faced by the family.
After verifying the complaint, a team of doctors led by Madhepura Civil Surgeon Vijay Kumar took immediate action. The clinic was sealed, and all patients already admitted there were safely transferred to the Sadar Hospital for continued treatment. This move ensured that ongoing medical care was not disrupted for those in need.
Ongoing Crackdown on Unauthorized Clinics
Civil Surgeon Vijay Kumar emphasized that further legal action would be taken against the hospital after a thorough verification of its documents and practices. "Our campaign against the mushrooming growth of unauthorized private clinics across the district will continue," he stated, underscoring the department's commitment to regulating healthcare standards and protecting patients from malpractice.
This incident sheds light on the broader issue of unregulated private healthcare facilities in the region, prompting authorities to intensify inspections and enforcement. The health department's proactive stance aims to prevent similar tragedies and ensure that all medical establishments adhere to strict guidelines and ethical practices.
