Safdarjung Hospital doctor arrested by CBI

yogesh

April 4, 2023

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a case against a neurosurgeon at Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi and four others

accusing them of engaging in unlawful activities and accepting money for providing medical advice and performing surgeries on patients. The accused doctor, along with middlemen including private persons and the proprietor of a private surgical shop in Delhi, has been accused of bypassing laid-down rules regarding treatment at Safdarjung Hospital.

According to the allegations, the accused neurosurgeon directed patients through middlemen to purchase instruments required for surgery from the surgical shop of the proprietor, who allegedly overcharged for the equipment. The doctor allegedly received a share in the overbilling.

Additionally, the accused doctor is alleged to have instructed middlemen to accept bribes of Rs 1,15,000/-, Rs.55,000/-, and Rs.30,000/– from the attendants of patients in three separate instances. The money was deposited into the bank account of a private person, as per the alleged directions of the accused doctor.

Moreover, the accused doctor is said to be laundering his illegally earned money through companies that are being managed by a private person. The CBI has carried out searches at multiple locations in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, resulting in the discovery of evidence such as incriminating documents and digital devices.

The CBI has arrested the neurosurgeon and four others and produced them before the competent court in Delhi. The accused have been charged with bribery, among other offenses.

This incident highlights the unethical practices that still exist in the medical profession, where doctors and hospitals prioritize financial gains over the well-being of their patients. It is a matter of great concern that medical professionals, who are supposed to provide care and relief to patients, are involved in illegal activities.

It is also an indicator of the deep-rooted corruption that plagues the healthcare system in India. Corruption and bribery have long been issues that have plagued the healthcare system, resulting in patients receiving substandard care and treatment, and in some cases, loss of life.

The government must take stringent action to curb such unethical practices and ensure that patients receive proper care and treatment. The regulatory authorities need to take a more proactive role in monitoring and regulating the healthcare industry to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

Moreover, there is a need to increase awareness among patients and their families about their rights and the various schemes and policies that the government has put in place to provide affordable and quality healthcare to all.

The medical profession is one of the most respected and noble professions in the world. Doctors and medical professionals are entrusted with the lives of their patients and must uphold the highest standards of ethics and integrity. Any deviation from these standards must be dealt with severely to ensure that the trust and faith of the public in the healthcare system are not eroded.

The CBI action against the accused doctor and his associates sends a strong message that illegal activities in the medical profession will not be tolerated. The government and regulatory authorities must take this opportunity to review the existing laws and regulations and take necessary measures to strengthen the healthcare system and protect the interests of patients.