High drama over high injection rate at private hospital
Patient’s kin accuse management of profiteering
High drama was witnessed outside a private hospital after relatives of a patient accused the management of selling an injection costing Rs 500 for Rs 7,500 at its in-house drug store. The family alleged that when they objected, store staff agreed to provide the same injection for Rs 5,000 after bargaining.
Patient’s relatives, joined by Shiromani Akali Dal youth wing leader Jasdeep Singh Kaunke, staged a protest outside the hospital, demanding strict action against the management. Kaunke claimed that hospital staff demanded multiple injections and later prescribed medicines worth Rs 24,000.
On checking online and at local pharmacies, the same injection was available at a cost of Rs 500.
Kaunke further alleged that a sting operation revealed the store’s willingness to sell the injection at a reduced price, confirming suspicions of overpricing. He declared that the protest would continue till firm action was taken against the hospital.
Former MLA Ranjit Singh Dhillon also joined the protest, demanding that patients should not be exploited in the name of medicines.
Meanwhile, the hospital management dismissed allegations as baseless and stated that medicines were provided at a discount and that no money was charged from the patient at the time of discharge. It said if the family had concerns, they should lodge a complaint with the Civil Surgeon, to whom the hospital would submit its response.
