News
Flying squads to detect malpractices in State Hospitals
Patients are unable to get the full benefit of the decrease in prices of stents used in heart surgery, lenses used in cataract operations and of essentials drugs, due to unscrupulous elements within the State Health service, manipulating the system.
To overcome this situation, Health Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratna has set up a flying squad to detect illicit practices taking place in State hospitals. The squad will begin work next week.
Minister Senaratna said he has received many complaints, but the present investigation unit confines itself to checking log books, and is not proactive, with patients’ complaints often ignored. He said there were 2 incidents, 1 at Anuradhapura General Hospital and the other at the Karapitiya Hospital, where the investigating officers were forced to turn back, after they were threatened with trade union action.
“We need an overhaul of this entire system. Even if there is a strike, I will not back off from taking action due to any kind of threats,” he said.
The Minister said he was forced to set up the flying squad due to the serious nature of some complaints he has received. Some of these concern doctors engaging in private practice during duty hours, including carrying out surgeries, while there were many complaints regarding the sale of stents and lenses.
“The stents were earlier sold for Rs 350, 000. We brought it down to Rs 150,000, but in State hospitals, the best quality stents imported from the USA, are given free of charge. Now we have found out that some doctors doing the operations tell patients the stents available in State hospitals are of poor quality, and direct them to private hospitals,” he said.
In a recent incident at the Karapitiya Hospital, it was found that a doctor doing cataract operations, had directed patients to a private hospital, saying the quality of the lenses at the State hospital were poor. After the patient lodged a complaint, an inquiry was held during which it was found the doctor was in cahoots with the company importing the lenses.
The Sunday Times learns that commissions ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 100,000 are paid by importers of stents to doctors who refer patients to private hospitals, while for cataract lenses, the commission is around Rs 15,000.
The Minister said there were similar practices with regards to free medicines issued by State hospitals, with patients complaining that doctors tell them the medicine is not available and direct them to a specific pharmacy.
“Most of the medicines are available in State hospitals, but some doctors are not issuing them on purpose, so as to get commissions,” he said. “This was true of some expensive medical tests such as CT scans, MRI scans,” he said.
Sudath Ranaweera who heads the newly set up squad said they have been given powers to act against those who violate rules in State hospitals. They have also been empowered to visit private hospitals on investigation.
This squad will discreetly investigate complaints lodged against hospital staff including doctors, officials and other staff.
“The squad will follow up the complaints and record evidence, so as to ascertain the veracity of the complaints and then carry out raids,” he said.
He added that, “Starting next week, we will be issuing several hotline numbers the public can use to call in with complaints,” he said. “We will recruit around 250 for this squad and will take prompt action in such cases,” he said.
He said that, if the patients present any form of evidence along with their complaints, it would make their task easier.