Staff in wards at city’s biggest cancer hospital allegedly refer patients to private centres and take huge cuts
Tata Memorial Hospital at Parel. File pic/Shadab Khan
The security guards at Parel’s Tata Memorial Hospital have busted a racket where staffers would refer cancer patients to a private diagnostics centre to undergo tests that are subsidised at the government facility. Two ward boys were recently caught accepting Rs 3 lakh from the centre’s manager for their services.
The incident came to light on the evening of July 15 when security guards posted at the hospital by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) witnessed the exchange of money. The cash was apparently dues for a week’s services. It was allegedly handed out on Saturday as the hospital’s OPD is shut on the weekend. The commission would range between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 4 lakh depending upon the flow of the patients, according to the police.
A manager of Infinity Imaging Centre who had come to hand over the envelope to the two ward boys is among those arrested. Representation Pic
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The Bhoiwada cops have booked 22 individuals, including the hospital’s assistant administrative officer, a security constable a peon and ayaah. Eleven of them have been arrested. “We suspect involvement of other imaging centres as well,” said a police officer.
The authorities are on the lookout for others and are investigating whether doctors are involved in the racket. According to cops, the security guards had received a tip-off about a deal between an employee of Infinity Imaging Centre and certain ward boys. The guards followed the duo who left the hospital premises and waited for someone near a government hospital.
“When the guards nabbed the duo, Rs 3 lakh was found in their possession. A panchnama was carried out and they were taken to Bhoiwada police station and higher authorities at TMH were alerted. After primary verification, TMH officials decided to register a complaint against the ward boys,” said a police official.
According to the cops, the racket got exposed during the interrogation of the ward boys and the manager of the imaging centre. Patients who were advised by doctors to get imaging done were allegedly approached by the accused at the ward and scan rooms. “The patients were asked by the ward boys to go to certain private imaging centres in Parel. For each patient, the ward boy concerned would receive 4 to 5 per cent of the sum paid by the patient,” said a police officer.
“A well-maintained chart was prepared by the imaging centre detailing these calculations,” he added. “The arrested individuals include a manager of Infinity Imaging Centre who had come to hand over the envelope,” said a source. The accused have been booked under Indian Penal Code Sections 420 (cheating), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant) and 34 (common intention). All the accused are currently under police custody. The DCP (Zone 4) confirmed the arrests but refused to divulge any information.
Tata hospital says
Dr C S Pramesh, director, TMH, said “At Tata Memorial Hospital, we act sternly against staff who work against the ethos of compassionate cancer care in the hospital. The administration acted swiftly and decisively. The employees concerned have been suspended and will be dismissed if the allegations are proven.”
22
No of suspects booked by cops, 11 of whom have been arrested
July 15
Day ward boys were busted
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