“When media started reporting the matter, especially the difficulties faced by the poor patients because of this unholy nexus, the management woke up and wrote letter to the district administration”
Nitesh Sangral
Caught in a fix to act against once ‘patronized’ unholy nexus between the private ambulance operators and some ‘corrupt’ elements operating in the Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, the concerned authorities were ‘coerced’ to approach district administration for action, thus ‘exposing’ their own susceptibilities and ‘incompetence’.
According to highly placed sources in the hospital, the administration of GMC&H has sought ‘external’ help to put their own house in order, as they cannot counter the forces of unholy nexus, which they have been allegedly supporting earlier.
“Yes, the management of the hospital has approached the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu to curb a well knit nexus of private ambulance operators at GMC&H,” said sources, claiming that the hospital administration has exposed its ‘incompetence’ by seeking help from external agencies for the job they could have done easily without any difficulty and for which they have been paid.
They added that the private operators are also charging hefty money from the patients as per their wish.
“The GMC Jammu is already overloaded as maximum of the cases from entire Jammu division, are referred to this hospital and many of them are also referred to outside the Union Territory for treatment but in such a situation, due to shortage of government ambulances, patients are left with no other option than to hire private ambulance,” sources added.
He shared that the hospital administration vide a letter no GMCH/2021/7826-33 dated 25-8-2021, submitted to the Divisional Commissioner Jammu with the subject that the attempt to malign the working of the GMC Jammu by few mischievous elements to lure patients to Hospitals outside UT of J&K through private ambulances.
Sources said that the administration was allegedly coerced to write this letter to the divisional commissioner Jammu following the public outrage over the nexus of private ambulances, which they claimed is ‘clear cut’ theft and fleecing of their pockets.
“When media started reporting the matter, especially the difficulties faced by the poor patients because of this unholy nexus, the management woke up and wrote a letter to the district administration,” said sources, adding that the management also sought action against section of media persons.
Taking dig at the letter of the hospital management, an official of the hospital, seeking anonymity, said that it clearly reflects incompetence and callous approach on the part of the administrative department, which has ‘completely failed’ to curb this practice at the hospital and sought district administration to control the same.
If an official is to be believed, if any unwanted activity is being done in the government premises, it is the duty of the concerned officials— who are getting salary from the government— to put a full stop on the same, but in this case, the administration is looking for external help.
“It appears that the incumbent management of the GMC&H Jammu has surrendered before the unholy nexus, therefore they are throwing the ball into the district administration’s court,” official added.
Various media houses have reported that an alleged nexus of private hospitals through ambulances’ operators rules the roost in Jammu’s biggest hospital, but instead of identifying such elements, the hospital management has thrown the ball into the court of district administration, which shows their ‘incompetence’.
When contacted Principal, GMC&H Jammu- Dr. Shashi Sudan said that the hospital authorities did not surrender before anyone.
“The issue is already under the notice of the district administration and the cases of luring patients were reported during Covid 19,” said Mrs. Sudan, who hung up the call even before completing her stand over the issue, saying she had some important meeting.
