Panel finds 24 Kolhapur state-run hospital doctors guilty of referring blood tests to private labs

Kolhapur: A five-member panel of senior doctors from the Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Govt Medical College found 24 doctors of Kolhapur's state-run Chhatrapati Pramila Raje Hospital's gynaecology and obstetrics department guilty of referring patients' blood samples to private laboratories for testing, even though a 24x7 central laboratory is located on the hospital premises.Those indicted include professors, assistant professors, and senior and junior resident doctors.Seniors in the hospital had received complaints regarding rampant "cut practice" by the doctors. Private lab agents allegedly offer their services by waiting outside the hospital's OPD. These labs charge between Rs 2,000 and Rs 7,000 for the tests.In their written response to the inquiry panel, the doctors said they referr blood to private labs in emergencies and in cases where kits for some tests are not available. After checking with laboratory officials, the panel found that the central lab has all the required tests available, and is open round the clock. The college administration has forwarded the findings of the panel to the state health authorities for further action.Sadanand Bhise, the dean of the college, told TOI: "After incidents were brought to our notice, we issued memos to the doctors concerned and warned them against indulging in such activities. Most of the required blood tests are carried out in our central laboratory; there is no need at all to refer patients to private labs. We informed the state health department about the outcome of the panel's inquiry. The decision on what kind of action against these doctors will be taken rests with the higher authorities."The panel found that 22 pregnant women were referred to private labs. Most of these women are from weak economic backgrounds. Such women get nearly free deliveries, medicines free of cost, and lab tests done at cheaper rates than at private labs. The doctors indicted had referred these pregnant women for complete blood count test, HIV test, liver function test, renal/kidney function test, and Hepatitis B surface antigen test, etc. As per the investigation, all these tests are done at the in-house central laboratory.Rupesh Patil, an activist who brought the malpractices to the fore, said, "We wanted to bring an end to the practice being followed in the department. We expect a similar investigation in other departments where blood tests are requested. Also, we now expect action against the guilty doctors."