Probe reveals ambulance scam

JABALPUR: Police investigation into a case bared an unholy nexus between government-run ambulance service staff private hospitals to squeeze money out of poor patients. The shocking fact emerged during police investigation in the case involving a pregnant tribal Baiga woman (PTG) of Umaria district for carrying her to Jabalpur from her home district to admit her in a private hospital.
On October 7, Ramsakhi Baiga, 22, wife of Krishna Pal Baiga, a resident of Manjhwani village in Umaria district was in labour pain. When they dialled Janani Express ambulance, the staff first took the couple to Katni from where they were brought to Jabalpur and admitted to a private hospital in Wright Town in Jabalpur. Taking the private hospital as government-run facility, Krishna Pal Baiga, admitted her wife to the hospital.
Next day, Ramsakhi was operated upon and she delivered a stillborn. The hospital thrust a bill of Rs 40,000 into the hands of Krishna for treating Ramsakhi. That was not all. The hospital management did not allow Krishna to take her with him. The poor tribal put the dead child into bag and took to begging to foot the medical bill. While he was collecting money to bear treatment cost, he came in contact with volunteer organisations, who informed the district administration, prompting police to launch the probe.
"We have recorded statement of driver of the Janani Express. Prima facia it appears there is a nexus between managers of private hospitals and drivers of Janani Express and they are paid for getting patients there. Investigations are still under way and things will get clear once investigations are over," Kotwali police station sub-inspector Deepak Dehariya told TOI.
After TOI highlighted the issue on Sunday, Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission (MPHRC) has taken cognisance and sought a report from district officials.
MPHRC sought a reply from chief medical and health officer of Umaria and sought replies on several points, including duration for which the woman was kept at Community Health Centre in Umaria. Whether anyone was sent along with Janani Express from the CHC and why the driver took her to a private hospital. The CMHO has to give a reply in 7 days.
We have recorded statement of driver of Janani Express. Prima facia it appears there is a nexus between managers of private hospitals and drivers of Janani Express and they are paid for getting patients there. Investigation i s on and things will get clear once investigations are over,"
We have recorded statement of driver of Janani Express. Prima facia it appears there is a nexus between managers of private hospitals and drivers of Janani Express and they are paid for getting patients there. Investigation i s on and things will get clear once investigations are over,"