Govt doctor sends Rs 1- cr defamation notice to Medical Superintendent

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, May 20

Dr Harshinder Kaur of Government Rajindra Hospital, who was caught referring patients to a private lab, has served a defamation notice of Rs 1 crore to Medical Superintendent (MS) Rajan Singla. 

It is pertinent to mention that Singla had caught Dr Harshinder red-handed for referring patients to a private lab on May 15 and reported the matter to the higher officials.

Dr Harshinder has sought an unconditional apology and Rs 1 crore on account of damage and loss of her reputation within 15 days.

Dr Harshinder, a two-time state award recipient, alleged that she was framed by Singla and the patient was planted by the latter. 

She said she was on a 30-day child care leave from April 29 to May 28, but was called to the hospital by Singla to complete pending work related to the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) scheme as she was a nodal officer. 

“I was framed by the Medical Superintendent. The said patient was also planted by him. I will fight the battle for my reputation,” she said. 

Singla said, “On the basis of the patient’s statement, I have already sent my report to the higher officials. Whatever I did was in the interest of patients and for better healthcare at the hospital. It is up to the higher officials to take action.”

“Moreover, I have not received the notice yet. Therefore, I cannot comment,” he added.

Malpractice still rampant

A number of labs and diagnostic centres near the hospital have been thriving on the referrals from the doctors of Rajindra Hospitals is a proof of the nexus.

The sources informed that the commission ranges from lab to lab ranging from 20 per cent for a CT scan to 35 per cent for an MRI test.

As fasr as medicines and implants are concerned, commission shoots up to 50 per cent. 

Ironically, Dr Harshinder herself said the malpractice was rampant in the hospital. She has even given reports of private labs of patients referred by other doctors along with a legal notice to Singla.

What MCI says

• Under the Professional Conduct — Clause No. 6.8 — about Etiquette and Ethics Regulations, 2002, by the Medical Council of India (MCI), a medical practitioner shall not receive any cash or monetary grants from any pharmaceutical and allied healthcare industry, in an individual capacity, under any pretext.
• Moreover, the MCI in 2017, had directed all the doctors practicing medicine in the country to prescribe drugs (medicines) with generic names. 
• The MCI said, “Every physician should prescribe drugs with generic names, legibly and preferably, in capital letters and he/she (doctor) should ensure that there is a rational prescription and use of drugs.” 

Commission in percentage

• The sources informed that the commission ranges from lab to lab and ranges from 20 per cent for a CT scan to 35 per cent for an MRI test
• As fasr as medicines and implants are concerned, the commission shoots up to 50 per cent

I was on a 30-day child care leave from April 29 to May 28. I was called to the hospital by Singla to complete the pending work related to the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) as I was a nodal officer. I was framed by the Medical Superintendent. The said patient was also planted by him. I will fight the battle for my reputation. Dr Harshinder Kaur, Government Rajindra Hospital 

On the basis of the patient’s statement, I have sent my report to higher officials. Whatever I did was in the interest of patients and for better healthcare at the hospital. It is up to the higher officials to take action. Rajan Singla, Medical Superintendent