Caught on cam: Karnataka PHC doctors suspended for demanding bribe to discharge mother and newborn

Two doctors at a PHC in Ramanagara district were caught on camera demanding a bribe of ₹6,000 to discharge a new mother.

ByChetana Belagere

Published Nov 26, 2022 | 11:52 PMUpdatedNov 27, 2022 | 9:40 AM

Public Health Centre

All is not well in Karnataka’s government-run hospitals. And it has made the health minister admit that the acts of a few doctors are tarnishing the image of the medical profession and that of government hospitals.

A gynaecologist at a Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Ramanagara, around 50 km from Bengaluru was placed under suspension, pending enquiry, for demanded a bribe to discharge a mother and her newborn. Her colleague was also suspended.

The doctor making the alleged demand was caught on camera and the visuals went viral on social media, leading to her suspension.

“It’s unfortunate that in a profession in which doctors are looked upon as gods, such acts by a few are tarnishing the image of the entire medical profession and government hospitals,” health minister Dr K Sudhakar said in a tweet.

The incident came close on the heels of the death of a Tumakuru mother and her newborn twins after a doctor and three nurses allegedly denied her treatment since she did not possess an Aadhaar card.

Video goes viral

Bidadi resident Manjunath’s wife Roopa underwent a C-section at the Ramanagara PHC four days ago. On recovery, Dr Shashikala, an obstetrician and gynaecologist, allegedly demanded ₹6,000 to discharge her.

Dr Shashikala

Dr Shashikala, Obsterician and Gynaecologist. (Screengrab)

Manjunath pleaded with the doctor to take ₹2,000 and discharge his wife and baby since he did not have enough money to meet her demand. The doctor did not budge, but said she had to equally share the amount with two other doctors.

“₹2,000 won’t suffice. I have to even give it to sir. Try giving it to sir and convince him. This won’t do,”  the viral video purportedly showed Dr Shashikala as saying.

By Saturday, 26 November evening, the video had gone viral.

The conversation in the video indicated that the PHC doctors demanding pelf was not new.

“If you give ₹2,000, how will I distribute among everyone? I need to pay each of them ₹2,000. You knew that she would be discharged today. Why didn’t you arrange the money beforehand,” she was shown as asking Manjunath.

Even as the conversation went on, another gynaecologist, purportedly  Dr Aishwarya, chipped in, warning against creating a precedence.

“This will become an issue. If you pay only ₹2,000, then others, too, will pay the same amount. We can’t be partial. You have to pay the full amount,” she clarified the issue.

Also read: Undergo dialysis at your own risk in Karnataka

Daylight robbery

Soon after the video had gone viral, the health department issued a media statement, saying both doctors have been placed under suspension. The opposition leaders in the poll-bound state put up social media posts condemning the health minister for the state of affairs in government hospitals.

Dr Aishwarya

Dr Aishwarya, Gynaecologist. (Screengrab)

“It is daylight robbery in government hospitals. But the government is turning a blind eye towards it. It is condemnable that the doctors and staff are demanding money from the poor. If they do this then how will the poor trust government hosptials,” Congress leader and MLC Dr K Govindaraj tweeted.

He questioned if “the health minister will provide a corruption-free government hospitals?”

Government orders probe 

Health department officials told the media that doctors Shashikala and Aishwarya were suspended from service based on the video evidence and an inquiry has been ordered into the alleged incident.

A detailed report, naming the other doctors involved, will be prepared. The investigation will also look into previous similar incident at the PHC.

“Strict action will be taken against erring doctors and healthcare staff at all district hospitals and PHCs,” an official said.

Related: IMA discusses Tumakuru deaths

The Tumakuru incident

Residents and local leaders at Tumakuru

Residents and local political leaders at Kasturi’s residence in Tumakuru. (File pic/Supplied)

The Tumakuru district hosptial allegedly denied treatment to a pregnant Kasturi since she did not have an Aadhaar car. The woman returned home and went into labour on 3 November.

With no medical assistance at hand, she and her newborn twins died of complications even as her six-year-old daughter, Shankari, looked on in horror at their Tumakuru residence.

Four employees, including the on-duty obstetrician and gynaecologist were placed under suspension following the tragic incident. However, no further action has been initiated against the four since the health department has been waiting for the doctor’s explanation.