Odisha Hospital’s Alleged Pakistan Links Raised In Assembly

Bhubaneswar: During the Assembly session today, Congress MLA Tara Bahinipati alleged that a Pakistani resident is a stakeholder in Care Hospitals and also accused that the hospital is involved in illegal kidney transplantation.

“Care Hospitals is involved in illegal kidney transplantation and it has links with a Pakistani man,” alleged Bahinipati.

Speaking on the issue, Leader of Opposition Pradipta Naik said, “Apart from violation of several guidelines and transfer of government land to Care Hospitals without obtaining NOC, it has been found that a Pakistani businessman is a stakeholder in the Bhubaneswar based-hospital.”

Ruling-BJD MLA Amar Satpathy said, “As per allegations, the hospital has not taken NOC from the government for land transfers. We are expecting that the government will soon launch an investigation.”

On the other hand, Care Hospitals authorities have refuted the allegations.

“The allegations that we are being run by a Pakistani businessman is completely baseless. We are controlled by a US-based firm,” said Chief Operating Officer of Care Hospitals, Gurit Kaur Sethi.

A press release from the hospital authorities reads, "Care Hospitals Bhubaneswar is in process of obtaining the Kidney Transplantation License and till date not a single Transplant has been performed in the hospital. Care Hospitals Management is aware that some unscrupulous people are trying to tarnish the image of Care Hospitals. It is pertinent to note here that Care Hospitals has already issued legal notices to two local newspapers of Bhubaneswar who have published wrong, misleading and fabricated news in their newspapers without authenticating the veracity of the news published."

Here is the press release by Care Hospitals

Later in the day, Odisha Health Minister Naba Das said, "Respecting the allegations of the Opposition, a probe has been ordered. Probe has begun and a raid was conducted. Required action will be taken after the probe."

Earlier today, a three-member team led by the Drugs Controller carried out a raid at Care Hospitals to inspect medicine inventory, invoices of patients among other things.