Hyd hospitals under scanner for fund scam

Hyderabad: A report by CNN-IBN unearthed irregularities in several private hospitals of Hyderabad involving the Chief Minister's relief fund.

Four hospitals have already been blacklisted by the Government and a formal announcement is due.

The report had revealed the plight of three-year-old Joshni, who had a near fatal fall and underwent treatment at the Image hospital in Hyderabad.

After three days of treatment costing Rs 20,000, Joshini was discharged.

Her father, an epileptic patient who runs a public phone booth, sought help from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

"The hospital told us, ‘you will be sanctioned money from the CM's Relief Fund. We can do it for you. You have to give us 20 per cent commission’. I agreed to pay if the amount gets sanctioned,” says the patient’s relative Ashok.

Few days later, the hospital was sanctioned Rs 40,000, twice the bill amount. Ashok sought a refund from the hospital and he got a cheque for Rs 20,000 - in the name of the child.

"The patient might require phase wise treatment. Sometimes after the initial level the patient might be asked to come again for the treatment. Whatever amount is sanctioned is only the estimate, not the bill,” says Asst Medical Superintendent, Image Hospitals, Ramaiah Naidu.

Says Kiran Kumar Reddy of CM Relief Fund, “If at all patient has got to get some money, she will be immediately getting it. All hospitals are in control of the government. If anything goes wrong, 100 per cent sure, we are going to keep them in black list and we are going to impose penalties and criminal cases also."

Following the scam, Joshni's parents have been assured that they will be paid what is due to them and erring parties will be punished.

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)