Patna Health Department Launches Crackdown on Touts Diverting Patients from Government Hospitals
The Patna health department has issued a stern directive to all district magistrates across the state, mandating the formation of special teams to apprehend individuals involved in luring patients away from government health institutes to private facilities. This decisive action comes in response to numerous complaints received by the department regarding organized touts operating on the campuses of public healthcare centers.
Widespread Complaints Prompt Urgent Government Action
According to official reports, the state health department has been inundated with grievances concerning touts who strategically position themselves within government hospital premises. These individuals systematically approach patients and their attendants, making false promises of superior treatment at private clinics. The situation has escalated to the point where these touts are also diverting patients to specific private laboratories for medical tests and to particular pharmacies outside the campus for medicine purchases.
Official Letter Details the Malpractice Network
In a formal letter addressed to all district magistrates, Health Secretary Lokesh Kumar Singh highlighted the severity of the issue. The correspondence explicitly states that the department has received consistent information about patients being misled by staff from private hospitals regarding treatment, diagnostic tests, X-rays, and medicine procurement. The letter emphasizes that such activities are depriving common citizens of their rightful access to government health services and welfare schemes.
"Legal action should be initiated against such people involved for depriving common men of availing govt health services and welfare schemes. Even the govt staff involved in this nexus should be identified and action taken against them," reads a crucial section of the official communication.
Comprehensive Strategy for Enforcement and Monitoring
To combat this organized malpractice, Health Secretary Singh has instructed district magistrates to implement a multi-pronged approach:
- Form dedicated teams specifically tasked with identifying and apprehending individuals involved in patient diversion schemes.
- Conduct regular, unannounced inspections at government health institutes to monitor and prevent tout activities.
- Appoint a nodal officer at the district level to oversee these operations and ensure accountability.
- Submit detailed action taken reports to the state health department for continuous assessment and follow-up.
At the state level, Additional Secretary Dhannajay Kumar has been designated as the nodal officer to coordinate this crackdown across all districts. This hierarchical structure aims to create a robust monitoring system that can effectively dismantle the networks exploiting vulnerable patients seeking affordable healthcare at government facilities.
The health department's proactive measures underscore the government's commitment to protecting patients' rights and ensuring that public health resources remain accessible to all citizens without interference from predatory private interests.
