LD hospital implements strict surveillance measures amid viral video controversy

Srinagar, May 07: Following a video that has gone viral on social media from Lal Ded maternity hospital, the hospital administration is under tight CCTV surveillance to curb corrupt practices, officials said.
Two days ago, a video went viral on social media platforms in which a woman has alleged corrupt practices and levelled serious allegations against the staff of the valley’s largest maternity hospital.
“From labour room to the operation theatre and from the surgery ward to recovery and exit gate there is corruption all around as employees demand it as chai (tea),” the woman alleges in the video.
Taking serious note of the complaints, Medical Superintendent, Lal Ded Hospital, Dr Muzaffar Jan refuted the allegations of bribery circulating on social media.
“The lady should come to the hospital administration. She has defamed the hospital and administration. We are trying to make a positive impact by developing the hospital. We get demoralised when such videos are seen on social media,” he said.
The hospital administration has called the woman and asked her to identify the staff having allegedly taken the bride from her. “If she is able to identify the person, we will take strict action against the erring employee as per rules,” the MS said.
Dr Muzaffar said some months back a sweeper was seen taking Rs 20 from an attendant in CCTV footage and then the said employee was suspended and attached to another hospital.
The MS said stringent measures are in place to curb corrupt practices within the hospital premises and the entire hospital is under strict CCTV surveillance, with every nook and corner monitored to prevent any unethical activities.
“We have a strength of more than 100 security guards and they are posted everywhere in the hospital. There are posters everywhere to curb any such practices and we have already shared the helpline numbers for the public,” he said.
Dr Muzaffar said they make sure there is zero tolerance to corruption adding that people also need to cooperate in case they see any such incident. “People should not give a single penny to anyone in the hospital in the name of “chai”,” he said.
“All wards, theatres and sections are working under the overall supervision of Resident Medical Officers, Senior Supervisors and In-charges besides Nodal Officer who minutely monitor their respective sections/areas to curb any malpractice,” he said.
The hospital has already an established 24/7 control room inside the hospital premises for on-spot and timely redressal of any complaint/grievance.
“Sign boards have been kept at various sensitive areas of the hospital depicting therein that both offering/taking of any bribe in whatsoever shape is a punishable crime and whosoever found indulging in such a practice shall be punished under relevant provisions,” he said.
The MS said that daily announcements via public-address-system are made for the awareness of the general public/patients and attendants not to encourage any malpractice.
The hospital has already installed complaint boxes and registers have been kept at various places/areas of the hospital for recording of complaints/suggestions, if any.
He also said during daily morning rounds, public and attendants/patients are questioned as to whether anybody asks them for bribes in the name and style of tea etc.