Patients allegedly directed towards private diagnostic labs and medicine outlets; prescription violations, retired staff engagement and commission claims raise serious questions over hospital administration
JJ TOSEEF R GANAI
MANDI | POONCH:- Serious allegations of an alleged commission-driven referral network have surfaced at Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Mandi in Poonch district, raising disturbing questions over the functioning of government healthcare facilities and the accountability of the hospital administration.
Local residents and shopkeepers allege that certain government employees are directing patients towards private diagnostic laboratories and medicine outlets for tests and medicines, instead of ensuring that available government healthcare services are utilised.
The allegations assume greater significance in view of Health Department directions reportedly prohibiting brand-name prescriptions and requiring medicines to be prescribed by their generic names in CAPITAL LETTERS. However, locals allege that prescription practices at SDH Mandi are running contrary to these instructions, warranting scrutiny of medical prescriptions and departmental compliance.
Sources further claim that retired Nursing Orderlies (NOs), who have reportedly returned to work at the hospital, are also allegedly involved in commission-based arrangements. Meanwhile, private laboratory representatives and alleged touts are reportedly seen moving freely inside hospital premises, raising serious questions over the monitoring and control exercised by the hospital administration.
Locals further allege that representatives of private laboratories are being called inside the hospital to collect patients’ samples, while certain employees allegedly facilitate referrals to private diagnostic centres. The alleged involvement of commissions in medicine purchases and diagnostic tests, if established, would represent a serious breach of public trust and an exploitation of patients seeking affordable healthcare.
The controversy also involves a government employee whose actual place of posting is reportedly at Sawjian but who is allegedly working at SDH Mandi and referring patients to private diagnostic facilities.
What makes the situation particularly alarming is the scale of public dependence on this institution. Sources estimate that nearly 1.5 to 2 lakh people from Mandi and adjoining areas depend on SDH Mandi for healthcare services. Yet, the reported condition of the institution and allegations of irregularities raise serious concerns over whether it is adequately fulfilling its responsibility of providing accessible, affordable and quality healthcare.
The condition of this important healthcare institution has also become a matter of concern among locals, who question whether a hospital catering to such a large population is adequately equipped and efficiently managed to deliver the healthcare services people deserve.
The role of the Block Medical Officer (BMO), Mandi, has also come under scrutiny, with residents questioning how private agents and alleged touts can reportedly move around hospital premises so openly. The hospital administration must clarify what monitoring mechanisms are in place and whether any action has been initiated to address these concerns.
In view of the allegations, locals have sought the intervention of senior Health Department authorities and the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Poonch, demanding an independent and impartial inquiry. The investigation should examine prescription practices, private laboratory referrals, alleged commission arrangements, the engagement of retired staff, sample collection inside hospital premises and the posting arrangements of the concerned employee.
When contacted over the matter, CMO Poonch, Dr Parvaiz Ahmed Khan, assured that the allegations would be taken cognisance of and examined by the concerned authorities. His assurance comes amid growing demands for accountability and corrective measures to protect patients from any possible exploitation.
For a healthcare institution serving nearly two lakh people, public welfare must remain the priority, not alleged private commercial interests. The Health Department must ensure that SDH Mandi functions as a centre of affordable healthcare rather than allowing allegations of commission-driven practices to undermine public confidence in the institution.
