Inquiry ordered into hospital’s tour offers

PATNA: The state health department has asked Vaishali civil surgeon Indra Deo Ranjan to conduct an inquiry against a Hajipur-based private hospital, which had allegedly issued a pamphlet offering attractive tour packages to those admitting patients to the hospital.
Additional secretary of State Health Society Pradeep Jha on Saturday said the district administration would investigate the matter.“Rohit Kumar, owner of B K Hospital at Jahuri Bazaar in Hajipur, has denied having issued any such pamphlet. Only a proper investigation by the district administration can reveal the truth,” Jha added.
Through its pamphlet, the hospital had allegedly offered five “tour packages” for those brining patients to the hospital. The matter came to light after the pamphlet went viral on social media.
Vaishali district magistrate Rachna Patil said the hospital owner has lodged a complaint with Town police station against unknown persons for hatching a conspiracy against the hospital. “The civil surgeon’s report will decide the next course of action in the case,” the DM added.
Health department spokesperson Anil Kumar said if found guilty, action would be taken against the hospital authorities. “We have taken the matter seriously,” he added.
Another senior official in the health department admitted that private hospitals have devised different ways to “trap” patients. “The pamphlet was really surprising. Efforts should be made to keep touts away from government hospitals,” he added.