Caught Red Handed: Puri District Headquarter Hospital Staff Allegedly Taking Bribe

Puri: In a fresh embarrassment to the administration at the Puri District Headquarter Hospital, which was embroiled in a series of corruption allegations in the past, a video clip, showing doctors, nurses and medical staff at the hospital allegedly taking bribe from the kin of a woman who had been admitted for delivery, went viral on Saturday.

In the video, the medical staff were clearly seen distributing the bribe money among themselves. The fresh incident, nevertheless, has put the hospital authorities in a spot again.

According to reports, Sangram Parida from Gop area had got his relative admitted to the hospital on December 5 for delivery. However a staff at the hospital allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 2200 to carry out an immediate caesarean operation for the delivery.

“This was the second delivery for the woman and we wanted it to be safe. We had requested the doctors to carry out a caesarean operation. However they demanded bribe from us which was illegal,” alleged Sangram.

“We were told that the amount would be shared between the doctor (Rs 2000) and the nurse (Rs 200). Considering the serious condition of the patient I had no option but give in to their demand,” added Sangram.

The alleged greed of the government employees did not end there. Sangram, alleged that the staff again demanded a bribe of Rs 900 after the baby was delivered. “I was again forced to give the amount as I was helpless,” he alleged.

Meanwhile, the goings on at the government hospital has once again invited public ire and criticism after the video went viral.

When contacted, Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Pranab Shankar Dash claimed he had no knowledge about the bribery allegations or the viral video.

“I am not aware of the incident. If it’s true, a thorough probe would be ordered soon,” said Das.

https://youtu.be/1zdkR9Q53oA