In what could be just a tip of the iceberg, a
shocking case of alleged theft and sale of medicines meant for patients has
come to light at UN Mehta Institute Of Cardiology & Research Centre. The
alleged theft was reported by the son of a 75-year-old patient who was admitted
to the hospital with cardiac problems and lung infection. The accused nurses
are likely to be suspended or terminated if the hospital's inquiry committee
finds them guilty.
Ramilaben Pandya, 75, was admitted to the hospital on
August 26 with lung infection. On Monday, her son Akshay Pandya bought
medicines worth Rs 2,500 from a nearby pharmacy and handed them over to the
nurses of the ward.
The same afternoon, he received a call from the owner
of the medical store who informed him that a nurse had come to sell the
medicines he had bought in the morning. Appalled by such insensitive and
unethical behaviour, Akshay submitted a written complaint to the hospital
authorities against the nurses.
MEDICINES GO MISSING'
“On September 14, around 8.30 am, we were given a
prescription for medicines that we purchased from Dev Chemists. We placed it on
the table kept near the patient's bed as has been the routine. We were told to
leave the room. Around 9.30 am, we were asked to hand over the medicines but
found them missing from the table. We told the nursing staff that we had placed
the medicines on the table. We, along with the staff, immediately launched a
search for the missing medicines but they had vanished without a trace. We also
called up my sister-in-law who was the one to place the medicines on the table.
Finally, we had to purchase the medicines from the same store at 10.30 am,“
stated Sadhana Pandya, the patient's relative, in a detailed complaint to
hospital authorities. A copy of the complaint is in possession of Ahmedabad
Mirror.
`NURSES TELL CHEMIST IT BELONGS TO THEIR RELATIVE'
The complaint further stated that around 2 pm, two
nurses were trying to return unused medicines to a medical store, but the
chemist told them that these were not from his shop and directed them to Dev
Chemists which stocks these medicines. When they [nurses] attempted to return
the medicines to Dev Chemist, claiming that these belonged to their relative
who was admitted to the hospital, the store owner sought the prescription and
the bill. The women claimed that it was with the patient who was on dialysis.
Suspecting something fishy, the chemist said that the medicines had nothing to
do with kidney ailment or dialysis and began to call up the patient's son.
Scared, the nurses allegedly began pleading with the chemist, asking him not to
report the matter to anyone.
“They even offered the chemist Rs 5,000, saying there
job will be at stake if they were reported to hospital authorities. When the
pleading did not work, they left the medicines with the chemist and ran away.
The medicines also included those prescribed to other patients,“ Sadhana's
complaint stated.
PRAISE FOR CHEMIST
“The incident came to light because of a chemist with
integrity, but raises a big question on the institute and its staff. One can
only imagine how many medicines are pilfered in this manner and how many nurses
and other persons from your in scam,“ the complaint further stated. The
patient's family said that they did not intend to file a police complaint as
they were happy with the treatment by the doctors and did not want to bring
disrepute to the institute. Sources said that the authorities have begun
inquiry against two to three nurses who are likely to be suspended or
terminated.
`STRICT ACTION WILL BE TAKEN'
Dr Kaushik Barot, resident medical officer (RMO),
said, “We are questioning two-three nurses. Also, we will ask the chemist to
submit his version in written to avoid any legal hassle. This is not a small
issue and strict action will be taken.“
Dr R K Patel, the hospital's director, said, “We have
taken action. We will let you know. Be 100 per cent certain that we have taken
action. Before any investigation, we will call you. I assure you that the
patient will be taken care of. We have also sought an explanation from the
nursing incharge and supervisor to find out who was involved.“
`THOSE LEAVING HOSPITAL NOT CHECKED'
While the hospital is guarded by more than 20
security guards round the clock, there is no check on the hospital staff.
“Nobody suspects the staff and this provides them the maximum opportunity to do
unethical things,“ said Sadhana. Reacting to this, Barot said, “We do check
people entering the hospital, but not the ones who leave the premises.But we
will certainly improve security measures.“
He added, “We can inform the police about this
anytime but what's the point in defaming the hospital. Here, mostly the poor
come for treatment so if they have this perception that a hospital does not
provide proper treatment, they will go to private hospital after selling off
their property.“
The patient's family members, however, are keen on
seeking CCTV footage to find out who was involved in stealing expensive
medicines from the hospital.
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