TB Hospital, Lucknow: Doctors prescribing expensive medicines in a commission racket!

Lucknow— Despite the availability of free and cheap medicines in various government hospitals in Lucknow, UP, patients are being compelled to buy medicines from outside. Doctors are prescribing expensive branded medicines to the patients. News about people having to buy medicines from private medical stores is also frequently appearing in national-level dailies. These facts have also emerged in an inspection of the Lucknow Divisional Commissioner. Patients are facing financial difficulties due to [having to buy] these expensive medicines. The Medical Superintendent (CMS) of TB Hospital, Anand Bodh, has rejected all the allegations being made in this matter.

What is the whole issue about?

Besides treatment for TB and dengue fever, the TB hospital in Thakurganj, Lucknow, UP also has delivery facilities for women. A Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendra has also been set up in the hospital premises. People from several different districts of UP come to this hospital for treatment.

Every medicine is available at the Jan Aushadhi Kendra, which the doctors of the TB hospital prescribe to patients arriving from different districts. The medicine prescribed by the doctor to Mohammad Aleem in TB hospital is available in private medical stores for Rs.340. While this medicine is available at Jan Aushadhi Kendra for just Rs.160.

Another medicine which costs Rs 190 in the market is available at Jan Aushadhi Kendra for just Rs 60. A syrup costs Rs 125 at a private medical store. Whereas, it is available at Jan Aushadhi Kendra for just Rs.38.

Doctors sending them to private medical stores after having a Jan Aushadhi Kendra in the TB hospital premises itself is a direct proof of corruption and commission.

Doctors prescribing expensive medicines

News about various government hospitals of Lucknow issuing prescriptions for medicines to be bought from outside has been appearing in national dailies. The Mooknayak investigated this at ground zero by talking to patients who had come to the TB Hospital in Thakurganj for treatment from different districts of UP. Shabnam's husband Mohammad Aleem, a resident of Musahbganj in Saadatganj area of ​​Lucknow, had suffered a paralytic attack eight years ago, since when he has been undergoing treatment at the TB Hospital in Lucknow. Shabnam explains, "The treatment is very expensive. Doctors mostly prescribe medicines from outside." Patients complain that first they have to wait in long queues to see the doctor. Later, one has to join the queue and wait again to show the medicine. Due to this, the patients in the queue also face difficulties.

Patient sold house to buy expensive medicines

Shabnam says, "We are only two people in the house. We don't have any children. I used to run a small kiosk. It used to help us manage to eat. I had to close the shop after my husband fell ill. There was no one to run it. I used to take him to the TB hospital for treatment, which is very expensive. Doctors mostly prescribe medicines to buy from outside. I had to sell my house to buy these medicines and to get better treatment for him."

Video showing doctor went viral

A video showing a surgeon at Thakurganj TB Hospital went viral in February 2022. After seeing the patient, the surgeon wrote a prescription with some medicines and called the patient to his clinic. The patient uploaded the video on social media. CMS Anand Bodh came to know about the matter, but he did not take any action. The patient had sent the video of the entire episode with the doctor to the District Magistrate and the Director General of Health. After which an inquiry was held in the matter and the doctor was transferred to Unnao. Another doctor at the TB hospital has also been accused of misbehaving with patients.

What did the responsible official say?

Regarding this matter, Director General of Health Dr. Lily Singh has said, "Director S.K. Singh has been asked to conduct a full investigation into the matter. Strict action will be taken against the guilty doctor after the report is submitted."

Case-1

Raees, an 80-year-old elderly man from Unnao came to Lucknow's TB hospital for treatment and is admitted in the male ward. Raees said, "I had a lot of problems with TB. The doctors at the TB hospital are treating it well." He showed a bag of medicines and continued, "I am having to spend a lot of money on TB treatment. Doctors prescribe medicines that have to be bought from private medical stores outside. These medicines are very expensive. About Rs. 1,500 have to be spent for medicine in a week."

Case-2

Radhe Shyam, who comes from Bangarmau, also in Unnao, told us, "I am being treated for TB. I am from a very poor family. Doctors prescribe medicines that need to bought from outside, which turn out very expensive. I have bought medicine worth Rs.1,050 from outside."

Case-3

Chandan, who comes from Kakori, Lucknow, said, "I have come for my father's treatment. The investigations revealed TB, for which he is on medication. The injections are given in the hospital itself. But most of the medicines have to be bought from outside. I have come after buying medicines worth Rs.1,400 in total."

(Story Translated by Lotika Singha.)