Defeating the purpose centrally sponsored Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS), which provide free of cost treatment to people, the Eye Specialist Forcing people to avail services from a Private Nursing Home
Avinash Azad
Acting into complaint against an Eye specialist posted in District Hospital Doda for last eight years, the district administration has sought detail of cataract surgeries conducted by the doctor and lenses issued under Ayushman Bharat scheme.
The complaint has been lodged against Dr Farooq Ahmed Runiyal, Eye Specialist presently posted at GMC Doda by Chenab Valley Welfare Committee (CWWC) Doda.
“A complaint was lodged by president CWWC Doda, where under various allegations of malpractice have been lodged against Dr Runiyal. You are asked to submit the details of Cataract Surgeries conducted in the hospital by Dr Runiyal as well as the lenses issued under Ayushman Bharat for the surgeries conducted by Dr Runiyal for last one year, so that further enquiry into the matter is conducted accordingly”, copy of letter written to Medical Superintendent, GMC Doda by Additional Deputy Commissioner Doda, dated 24/04/2023 read.
Deputy Commissioner, Doda Vishesh Paul Mahajan told The Hidden News, on basis of a complaint against doctor received from CWWC Doda, a reply was been sought from MS, GMC Doda for further action.
“Notwithstanding the fact that the present LG Administartion has adopted a zero tolerance Policy for corruption, surprisingly, Dr Farooq Ahmed Runiyal belongs to far flung are of Ramban District appointed in RBA category managed post of Medical Officer at District Hospital Doda, during the year 2015. For last eight years he is cheating and loot the public. He has created mess of corruption in district hospital (DH) Doda, now GMC Doda, hardly attending few hours in Hospital and always uses to sit on his private Medical Shop (Rishu Medicate) opposite the Hospital OPD”, the CWWC alleged in the complaint addressed to LG, JK UT.
“This shop being to Nizer Ahmed Rishu brother of Superintendent of Police, where SPO Ashok Kumar is regularly working as Ophthalmic Assistant for last eight years. The doctor refers each and every patient to Ashok Kumar for computer eye vision and eye pressure test in the backyard of the medical shop. The SPO, Ophthalmic Assistant charges Rs 500 from each test and issues slip to Doctor for further Checkup”, the CWWC further alleged in the complaint.
“Another government employee Irshad Ahmed, who is regularly drawing salary as NYC from Primary School Aul Ghat Zone illegally, never performs duty at the School, is also working the medical shop. He motivates patients for surgery that too in the private nursing Home Doda and sells drugs and lenses to the patients”, the complaint further reads.
“Dr Runiyal is conducting at least 5to6 operation at Nursing Home Doda and charging Rs 30000 to 40000 from each patient. A Big nexus is going on at GMC Doda for last eight years. Though so many complaints have been, but nothing has been done so far”, the complaint further reads.
However, Principal GMC Doda, Dr Puja Vimesh told The Hidden News, Dr Runiyal is regularly attending hospital. “Since private practice is not banned in J&K, he can perform private practice after duty hours. Moreover, Dr Runiyal is from Health department on deputation basis, as the GMC Doda has shortage of doctors”, she added.
