Imagine you're sick and need to see a doctor, you reach the hospital, already stressed, and someone approaches you with a friendly smile. They promise to get you a ticket quickly, ensure you see the doctor without delay – sounds like a savior, right? These are smooth talkers – "dalals," or brokers, operating in hospitals, and they're more like wolves in sheep's clothing, especially in the government hospitals of Bhubaneswar.
It is a concerning issue: these brokers are taking advantage of vulnerable patients and their families. They use sweet talk and false promises, luring people into their traps. They offer to get tickets, arrange doctor visits, and even escort you to the doctor's chamber – all for a price, of course. It starts with a "free" ticket for which they later demand money, and the costs keep escalating. It's a blatant scam playing on people's desperation.
The most shocking part? These brokers even have access to what looks like authentic OPD tickets. It makes you wonder how deep the rot goes. People from rural areas, unfamiliar with the city's hospitals, are particularly easy targets.
The High Court ordered to make the hospitals a broker free zone back in 2023. The state health department had promised action, directing district officials and police to identify and crack down on these brokers. Letters were written, promises were made, but the reality on the ground is different. And those who caught, easily escapes the prison and resorts to their old tricks.
The report rightly points out that better security, stricter CCTV surveillance, and increased awareness among patients are crucial. Hospitals also need to issue special ID cards to staff involved in patient care, making it easier to identify legitimate personnel.
AIIMS Bhubaneswar claims they have a police outpost and coordinate with them, immediately reporting any suspicious activity. Capital Hospital authorities echo the same, yet the problem persists.
The story mentions specific instances. Recently, a broker named Shaktipada Maity was arrested at AIIMS. Earlier, Suresh Pradhan was caught for targeting patients from West Bengal, and he even had multiple Aadhaar cards in his possession. Capital Hospital has also seen arrests, but the brokers seem to be one step ahead, remaining active yet elusive. The authorities also caught 12 brokers back in November, 2022.
Ultimately, the patients suffer – they are cheated, harassed, and left to deal with a system that's supposed to care for them. It shows a critical need for action. The authorities must protect innocent patients from falling prey to these manipulative schemes. So, when would we see hospitals that are "broker-free"?
