Crackdown on middlemen diverting patients at government facilities is ordered by the Odisha Health Dept

The Odisha Health and Family Welfare Department (H&FW) has ordered all state-run medical colleges and hospitals to strictly monitor and take action against brokers or middlemen who engage in diverting patients from the Out Patient Departments (OPDs) of public hospitals throughout the State to private clinics and hospitals.

The health department stated in a letter that “it has come to light that some undesirable elements are operating in the premises of high case load Government hospitals, under the pretence of helping patients arriving from far-flung locations to locate the OPDs.”

She added, “The local Police Station in charge may be promptly informed about the matter for the custody of such elements and the start of appropriate legal action against them.

The health department also requested that the appropriate legal action be taken in addition to the necessary administrative actions under CCA Rules if any faculty, treating physicians, paramedics, or other staff members of the Government hospital were discovered to be cooperating with such elements or aiding and abetting them.

Furthermore, it has been ordered to take urgent action to install appropriate signboards in English and Odia from the hospital’s point of entry, providing clear directions and route maps to the locations of various OPD Departments. For the benefit of patients and their families, the name of each OPD of various treatment Departments should be displayed in both Odia and English in front of the OPD.