Bihar Health Department Cracks Down on Middlemen Exploiting Patients in Government Hospitals

Patna (Bihar):
The Bihar Health Department has issued strict orders to district officials to clamp down on middlemen who mislead patients visiting government hospitals into private clinics, laboratories, and pharmacies. The move targets individuals exploiting vulnerable patients by steering them away from free public healthcare services.

Special Teams to Track Offenders

District magistrates have been instructed to form special teams to identify and take action against these middlemen. Officials warned that legal action will be initiated against anyone found part of such networks, including private operators and, if necessary, complicit government staff.

Complaints from Public

The Health Department received repeated complaints that middlemen were operating inside hospital premises, luring patients and their families with false promises of better treatment. Patients were often coerced into private diagnostic tests, X-rays, and medicines from specific outlets outside the hospitals.

Legal and Administrative Action

In an official letter from Health Secretary Lokesh Kumar Singh, district officials were told to ensure that individuals depriving citizens of public health services and welfare schemes are held accountable. The directive also emphasizes identifying and taking action against any government employees found complicit in these activities.

The department aims to safeguard public healthcare, ensure transparency, and protect patients from exploitation in Bihar’s government hospitals.