Messy management of a medical college exposed by Adv. Umashankar using RTI

1. Corruption in medical system in India

Messy ways of management in present Indian system are becoming quite evident day by day. There is rise in incidents of riots, corruption, robberies, immorality and intolerance towards each other. The only reason behind the same is adopting western culture and laws by disregarding our superior Sanatan Dharma and culture. Everyone must have experienced incidents which have made him/her restless; but we avoid facing such situations; thinking that how one person can bring change in society. We try to compromise with such corrupt people in the absence of any other option and accept it as part of our life.

Medical field has also become a part of such corrupt system. It is not limited only to doctors but it has pervaded total medical field. Corruption in following medical departments has become quite common.

A. Creation of medical facilities and maintenance

B. Purchase and supply of medicines

C. Distribution and use of medicines, medical equipment and medical service

D. Admission in hospitals

E. Examination and tests carried out in clinics and laboratories

F. Admission in medical college and passing (help in passing) medical examinations

G. Appointments of medical professors and doctors

2. Machines to separate platelets from blood are not used in case of blood cancer in medical colleges; therefore, even poor patients have to approach costly private hospitals’ blood-banks 

I want to explain to you my experience of corruption and carelessness presently observed in use of medical equipment in hospitals. My friend was admitted to a hospital in Hubli for treatment of blood cancer. I went to the hospital to donate blood since he needed platelets for treatment. Single Donor Platelets (SDP) is the special machine used for separating platelets from blood for such treatment. Karnataka Medical College (KMC), now known as Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) is the oldest and multi-purpose hospital in South Karnataka; but SDP machine is not used in that hospital and poor patients also have to go to blood-bank in a private hospital. The test costs about Rs. 5000-6000/- in government hospital but patient has to pay Rs. 10000- 12000 in a private hospital for the same. A cancer patient needs this treatment 5 to 6 times costing about Rs. 30,000/- in a government hospital and about Rs. 90,000/- in a private hospital; thus the difference of expenses in private and government hospital is Rs. 60,000/-.

3. Obtaining information on the machine in KMC under RTI

I had strong desire to obtain information from KMC in this connection with the help of RTI. I requested KMC to provide information on following points.

A. How many SDP machines are in KMC? Details of purchase of this machine like date and other approval letters from the concerned.

B. Report on SDP in present situation

C. Rules, names of supervisors and employees having responsibility of maintaining this machine

D. Names of persons who have handled this machine since its installation

E. Details of costs fixed for separating platelets through this machine and related papers registering details

4. Information provided by this college

Out of the 5 points raised by me, RTI officer of KMC gave me information only on 3 points.

A. One SDP machine is available in government hospital; but it is not in use since past 7 years and has not been repaired even once. It was not repaired because skilled person having knowledge was not available.

B. The hospital has not fixed the amount to be charged to patients for its use.

C. No register has been maintained for persons who have used this machine.

5. Lodging complaint with Director, KIMS on the basis of information obtained

On the basis of information obtained under RTI, I lodged a complaint with the Director of KIMS. It was stated in the complaint that ‘The Government has spent about Rs. 27.04 lakhs for this machine in the year 2010 and tenders were published but it has not been used so far. Many poor patients come from far off places for treatment to this hospital and they don’t survive due to lack of treatment because they cannot afford costly treatment. You are requested to take necessary action for making this machine workable and inform me within 15 days from receipt of this letter about the action taken; else legal action will be taken against you.’

6. Right to information Act may be used not only by advocates but also by every citizen to create awareness amongst people !

The weapon of RTI need not be used only by advocates but every citizen can use it. We should come forward to expose present corrupt systems in India for creating awareness amongst people. There is no alternative to establishing Hindu Rashtra for bringing change in this situation; but it is the duty of every citizen towards society to create awareness.

I express gratitude to Bhagavan Shrikrushna and ‘Param Pujya’ Gurudev for giving me this opportunity of ‘seva’.

– Advocate Umashankar Megundy, Karnataka High Court, Bengaluru (7.1.2018)