Patna: A flying squad conducted surprise inspections at PMCH, New Gardiner Hospital and Lok Nayak Jay Prakash Narayan Hospital on the orders of Patna DM Thiyagarajan S M on Tuesday. Officials issued challans to eight vehicles and ambulances and collected Rs 72,000 in fines.The DM said the administration was conducting regular checks at health institutions to curb illegal activities. The inspection team comprised the additional district magistrate, police officers and health department officials.The team inspected OPDs, medicine distribution centres, pathology centres, emergency wards and blood banks. At PMCH, the squad checked private ambulances and warned vehicle owners against parking in unauthorised areas.At New Gardiner Hospital, the team reported the presence of medical representatives to the director. At Lok Nayak Jay Prakash Narayan Hospital, the team monitored facilities and directed that a report be submitted on the removal of middlemen.The DM highlighted that a suspicious person was recently handed over to the police at PMCH for exploiting patients. An FIR was filed in that case. A sanitation worker was also dismissed on Feb 4 for taking money from patients.Earlier, the administration had filed FIRs against two individuals at NMCH for illegal activities. The district magistrate has now directed hospital administrations to ban the entry of private ambulances into the premises.The district administration received reports that personnel from private clinics and pharmacies were misleading patients at govt hospitals. The district magistrate said that legal action is being taken against such individuals for obstructing public services.Govt employees found involved in these activities will be identified for disciplinary action. The district magistrate said that officials must remain alert and that negligence will invite legal consequences.
