By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR/PHULABANI: It seems, Odisha Government turning a blind eye towards KIMS COVID-19 Hospitals in the State as it is being run by ruling BJD’s Lok Sabha MP, from Kandhamal, Dr Achyuta Samanta. One after another heinous allegations were coming against KIMS Hospital and its managed COVID-19 Hospitals but neither the State Government nor the Health and Family Welfare Department taking any action against the KIIT Empire of BJD MP Dr Samanta, which raised many eyebrows.
The members of Phulabani District Bar Association has submitted a memorandum to Collector Kandhamal addressing Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik about the negligence of KIMS Hospital, in giving treatment to COVID-19 patients and mismanagement of COVID-19 hospital in Phulbani, and seeking a high level inquiry regarding the death of senior Advocate, and Special public prosecutor (Vigilance) Suresh Kumar Mohapatra with immediate effect. The Association in a memorandum to Chief Miniser Patnaik said that the patients who ere referred to KIMS Hosital, Bhubaneswar for better treatment , most of them passed away without any correct information to their families.
“That on September 15, one Suresh Mahapatra, advocate and special public prosecutor (Vigilance) of Phulabani was referred to KIMS Hosiptal from the COVID-19 hospital of Phulabani, But we never thought he would pass away after 3 days in the period of his young age, we bear the shock with patience but it is learnt that the information of death was communicated by the KIMS authority to his family members after 18 hours which is out of our imagination, It proves the gross negligence and improper treatment of the KIMS towards the COVID-19 patients. Hence we demand a high level probe regarding the death of Suresh Mahapatra with immediately by supplying the details reports of his treatment,” the Phulabani District Bar Association said in its memorandum to Chief Minister Patnaik.
“The District Headquarters’ Hospital at Phulabani is lacking with sufficient staffs and it is also necessary to increase the standard of the COVID-19 hospital attached to district headquaters hospital for better treatment of the COVID-19 patients in order to check the further spread of the Corona in the locality,” the Association. “It was very unfortunate to elect a fraud like Dr Samanta as Kandhamal MP and his managed COVID-19 hospitals are now killing fields, VV Ramdas, senior member of the Bar Association said
“KIMS hospital has not yet produced any bill for reimbursement though the guidelines are clear. We seriously doubt the integrity and intention of the government,” alleged RTI activist Pradip Kumar Pradhan.
Meanwhile, facts obtained through a RTI application has raised serious question marks over the Covid-19 expenditure policy of the State Government. As per the disclosures, the State Government has no clear answer regarding the amount incurred on Covid-19 treatment and how much the private Covid hospitals are charging from the patients. The State Government could not also clarify about the contract amount with private hospitals towards the treatment costs, as per the revelations.
According to the RTI information, KIMS Covid hospital has so far received Rs 23,81,76,000 from the Odisha Mining Corporation Limited (OMCL) towards treatment cost. The hospital received Rs 12, 35, 26,000 on March 31, Rs 3, 46, 50,000 and 4,00,00,00 in two phases on April 9 and Rs 4,00,00,000 on April 13.
However, according to the Annexure-B of the state government guidelines, Covid hospitals should produce their bills (pertaining to the treatment expenditure) with total amount in every 15 days. However, the State Government has failed to provide any information about those bills and expenditure towards the treatment cost charged by the private hospitals even after a span of four months.RTI activists have raised serious questions regarding the matter.
Senior IAS officer Hemant Sharma and Odisha State Medical Corporation Limited (OSMCL) Managing Director Yamini Sarangi had earlier appeared before the Odisha Lokayukta in connection with the alleged irregularities in the purchase of Covid-19 PPE kits. Sharma was the Chairman of the PPE Kit Procurement Committee.
