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Referring patients to private labs

After suspension of colleague, doctors tread cautiously

PATIALA:Suspension of Dr Harshinder Kaur has made doctors of Government Rajindra Hospital more cautious.

After suspension of colleague, doctors tread cautiously


Karam Prakash
Tribune News Service
Patiala, May 22

Suspension of Dr Harshinder Kaur has made doctors of Government Rajindra Hospital more cautious. 

Dr Harshinder was suspended for engaging medical representatives (MRs) of private labs in her OPD and compelling the patients get tests done outside. 

As a result, numerous doctors have cut their ties with MRs of different medicine companies and private labs, said the sources.  Doctors have even strictly prohibited entry of MRs in their OPDs as well. 

The sources said Principal Medical College has already warned the doctors to refrain from unethical practice and dedicate OPD timing only to the patients.

Moreover, the authorities concerned directed the doctors to get all the tests conducted at the hospital lab.

Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Satish Chandra, who issued suspension order said, “We acted on the report sent by the Medical Superintendent of Government Rajindra Hospital. We came to know that she (Dr Harshinder Kaur) was engaging MRs of private labs in her OPD which is not acceptable at all.”

Chandra said Dr Harshinder has been removed as a nodal officer of the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) for holding the OPD only for two days instead of six days.

The sources at Rajindra Hospital revealed that doctors were entertaining the MRs of private labs between 8 am to 2pm which was the OPD time for the patients.

“Patients were seen waiting for hours. Most of the time, doctors were busy with the MRs of private labs during the OPD timing,” said a senior doctor on condition of anonymity.

Nexus under radar 

The unholy nexus between doctors and private labs has come under radar of top health officials of the government. The sources said the authorities would not hesitate to take strict action to curb the ongoing practice at the hospital.

Move to act as deterrent 

The incident related to Dr Harshinder highlights that the malpractice of referring patients to private labs was rampant. Moreover, Dr Harshinder gave in writing along with a legal notice to the MS about wrongdoing by most of the doctors.  The sources revealed that a strong nexus is going between the doctors and shopkeepers in medical devices, especially implants. Sources said suspension would prove to be a long-lasting deterrent for the wrongdoers.

Issue takes political turn

The suspension of the doctor has taken a political turn after MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi condemned the action of the hospital authorities. Gandhi said Dr Harshinder was a victim of political vendetta. The MP said, “The doctor has informed that she is a victim of vendetta politics and was suspended without any departmental inquiry.” 

Bir Devinder Singh, senior vice-president, Shiromani Akali Dal (Taksali) said that the doctor concerned has been placed under suspension on frivolous grounds. He said, “I will urge Health Minister Brahm Mohindra to go to the bottom of the case and personally look into frivolous charges.”

Probe doctors 

Following the alleged nexus, people have started demanding an inquiry related to the assets of the doctors of Government Rajindra Hospital. People said a thorough investigation should be conducted to investigate giveaways and expensive gifts by medical representative of private labs and pharmaceutical companies to doctors.

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