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Bhubaneswar, March 31: Bhubaneswar-based Apollo Hospitals, Aditya Care and Swarna Hospital were given government land at marginal prices but they have not provided free treatment to Below Poverty Line (BPL) patients, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) said in its report which was put before the Assembly Tuesday.
“The three hospitals received government land at concessional price of `3.28 crore against market value of `45.68 crore, but did not provide free treatment to BPL patients up to July 2014,” the auditor said.
In April 2013, the Union government had directed the state government to ensure that 25 per cent of patients in outpatient departments (OPDs) and at least 10 per cent of patients in inpatient departments at private hospitals and clinics built on government land were from the BPL category.
In its reply, the health and family welfare department stated in December 2014 that the matter was being monitored through monthly reports after government guidelines were issued in July 2014.
The CAG further noticed that the validity of registration certificates submitted by 87 doctors, 19 staff nurses and 17 pharmacists deployed in 22 out of 34 tested private clinics had expired and were not renewed as of July 2014, but they were still found to be engaged in duty without re-registration or renewal. Of the above, 30 doctors, two staff nurses and six pharmacists belongs to the Apollo Hospital.
As per the Orissa Clinical Establishment (Control and Regulation) Act 1991, it is essential to submit registration certificates of the medical practitioners and paramedical staff to the director of medical education and training (DMET) at the time of registration and renewal.
“Thirty-one doctors, 63 staff nurses and 42 pharmacists deployed in Khetramohan Seba Sadan, Kailash Health Centre, Ashwini Hospital, Aditya Care and Apollo Hospital, did not furnish educational certificates in support of securing minimum qualification required for such posts,” it mentioned.
However, the state government stated in December 2014 that all CDMOs were instructed to furnish valid registration certificates of doctors, nurses, pharmacists while sending proposals for renewal and registration.