Cuttack: The raid on the residence of head of Haematology department of SCB Medical College and Hospital here last month in connection with disproportionate asset case has not only brought troubles for the doctor, but also for patients undergoing treatment in the department.
The vigilance sleuths had carried out simultaneous raids at 12 places, including the residence and offices of head of Haematology department Rabindra Jena November 23. Further inquiry is underway by vigilance officials to probe into the funds approved by Jena under Orissa State Treatment Fund (OSTF) and treatments provided to patients through the said funds.
Jena went on leave from November 27 following the raids. However, the vigilance raid has affected the patients undergoing treatment under the Haematology department here. Most of the patients admitted to the department are suffering from blood cancer. As the treatment is costly, the government extends financial assistance to the patients through OSTF.
Sources said the fund is being approved through the head of the Haematology department. However, after vigilance raids and subsequent leave of Jena, no other doctor has the authority to approve the funds.
Meanwhile, six patients are waiting the OSTF aid for their treatment. Some of them are reportedly forced to sell their land to afford the treatment.
Relative of one such patient from Berhampur said, “We came to SCB after borrowing money in our village. We knew that we will get the funds from OSTF. However, our application for the OSTF fund is gathering dust for the past 15 days. Whenever we ask the doctors, they simply say that they do not have the authority to approve the fund. Now we are planning to sell our land to bear the treatment expenses.”
Kuni Swain of Niali said she had already spent Rs 80,000 in a private hospital in Bhubaneswar before coming to SCB. “Another Rs 22,000 has been spent here in the last 15 days. And we are still waiting for the OSTF,” the woman’s son said.
Some social activists have strongly reacted to the issue. “The OSTF fund is not being approved in an important department like haematology for the past 15 days, while the hospital authorities are sitting idle,” they said.
“Not only the OSTF, the coagulometer used for testing of the haemostasis system is lying defunct at the haematology department. As a result, the patients have to visit private pathologies and spend Rs 500-1000 for blood test,” the social activists alleged.
An employee of the OSTF section said, “The hospital authorities have sought advice from the revenue divisional commissioner (RDC) on the issue. We can take further step once we get clearance from the RDC.
When contacted, SCB administrative officer Pratap Mishra expressed ignorance about the issue.
PNN
