Medical mafia calling shots in Jangaon MCH? It is alleged that patients are forced to undertake tests in private labs, though the hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic devices

The medical mafia is allegedly calling shots in the Mother and Child Health Centre (MCH) here. The hospital may appear attractive from outside, but what is happening inside is completely different.
The conditions in government hospitals in Jangaon are deteriorating by the day, with both higher officials and lower-level staff exploiting the poor. Just three days ago, staff at the Jangaon area hospital allegedly collected money from patients who came for surgery, taking advantage of their vulnerable situation. Now, in a similar vein, another incident has come to light at the Mother and Child Health Centre in Champl Hills, revealing the presence of a medical mafia.
Poor people approach government hospitals for better treatment, but at the Jangaon MCH Hospital, it is alleged that only those who can afford to pay receive services. The state government has been allocating huge money for these hospitals to ensure that the poor get free medical services.
Patients who come in for deliveries or other gynaecological issues find that although all necessary medical equipment is available, it is merely for show, as no tests are conducted. They are forced to undertake tests in private laboratories. The hospital staff allegedly colludes with private labs and clinics, ensuring that required tests are not performed within the hospital. The labs may exist in name only, but they often claim that equipment is not in proper condition, pushing patients to pay for tests outside before they can receive any operations or treatment, patients complained.
Government hospitals are supposed to provide treatment, medication, and surgery free of charge, but at the MCH, it is a different story. Patients and their relatives are allegedly forced to dig into their pockets for medical care.
A resident of Jangaon took his wife to the MCH for delivery two days ago. She was kept under observation overnight, but when it came time for surgery the next day, he was told that essential items like injections, gloves, blood tests, and IV fluids were not available.
He was handed a piece of paper instructing him to buy everything outside. With no other option, he ended up spending Rs 5,000 on tests and others.
People are appealing to the district administration to order a probe into the alleged medical mafia and take strict action to prevent such incidents from happening again.