Independent MLAs - Simarjit Singh Bains and Balwinder Singh Bains - on Monday accused the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital’s (DMCH) management of forcing patients to purchase medicines at high rates inside the hospital. The medicines were available at a much lesser rate at drug stores outside, claimed Bains brothers.
Staging a protest outside the hospital, the duo alleged the patients were being forced to undergo unnecessary tests. The two MLAs also sought immediate removal of DMCH secretary Prem Gupta.
Simarjit Singh Bains alleged that the land adjoining the hospital was being purchased at low rates and then it was sold to the DMCH at higher rates. He alleged that Gupta had purchased a property in November 2008 and then allegedly sold it to the hospital on a higher rate in December 2008.
The MLA claimed that doctors at the hospital were being forced to recommend unnecessary tests to patients to generate income for the hospital. His brother Balwinder Singh Bains alleged that the patients are not allowed to purchase medicines from outside the hospital.
The two MLAs claimed that they had “conducted an investigation” in which they found that a patient had purchased four different medicines for `1,051 from the DMCH pharmacy while the same medicines were available for `570 from a drug store outside the hospital.
{{/usCountry}}The two MLAs claimed that they had “conducted an investigation” in which they found that a patient had purchased four different medicines for `1,051 from the DMCH pharmacy while the same medicines were available for `570 from a drug store outside the hospital.
{{/usCountry}}Bains brothers demanded that cesarean deliveries should be conducted as per recommendation of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Simarjit Bains also alleged that the donated blood units were being sold for `4,000 per unit. Bains’ supporters said patients were being charged a hefty parking fee by the DMCH.
The Insaaf team, formed by Bains brothers, asked authorities to give details of facilities being provided to poor patients. They also wanted authorities to do away with the alleged commission system at the hospital.
Bains brothers also submitted a memorandum to Gyan Chand Dhawan, vice-president of the DMCH. DMCH spokesperson said Prem Gupta not available for comments as he was out of station. He said the vice-president was looking into the matter.