UP Govt Hospital Employee Charges Rs 1 Extra From Patients, Sacked

A contractual worker at a Community Health Centre (CHC) in Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh, was dismissed for allegedly overcharging patients. The pharmacist was found charging Rs 2 instead of the official Re 1 fee. This discovery followed an unannounced inspection by local BJP MLA Prem Sagar Patel at the Jagdaur CHC.

Patel stated he had received complaints about irregularities at the government health facility. During his visit, he discovered that patients were being charged double the prescribed amount for prescriptions. Videos of this "surprise inspection" have since appeared on social media platforms.

Inspection Uncovers More Issues

During his visit, Patel interacted with patients and their families, uncovering more problems at the centre. These included delays in government aid for childbirth and a lack of female doctors during night shifts. Additionally, there were claims that medicines were being prescribed from outside medical stores.

The District Health Department later confirmed that Sanjay, the pharmacist involved in overcharging, was a contractual employee hired through a third-party agency. "The services of the employee involved in overcharging have been terminated," stated Additional Chief Medical Officer Rajendra Prasad.

MLA's Personal Connection

In one video clip circulating online, Patel is heard addressing the CHC staff. He mentioned his village roots and understanding of "poverty and helplessness." He expressed that there was no need for explanations as he already knew what was happening.

Patel confronted the pharmacist directly during his inspection, questioning how they could charge an extra rupee from poor patients. His words were captured in one of the videos shared widely on social media.

This incident highlights ongoing issues within state-run health facilities and raises questions about oversight and accountability. The swift action taken against the pharmacist reflects efforts to address such concerns promptly.