A hospital staffer at Sadar Hospital in Chatra, Sukhdev Ram, has reportedly admitted to accepting Rs 2,500 for conducting postmortem examinations on a 28-year-old woman and her two daughters earlier this week, according to preliminary findings by an investigation team set up by the district administration.
Staffer's Submission Reveals Fund Crunch
In his written submission to the team, Ram claimed that out of the Rs 2,500, he spent Rs 1,800 on conducting the postmortem examinations on the three bodies, as the district hospital does not have any funds allocated for the daily activities of the postmortem section. He asserted that hospital staffers are forced to take money from the kin of the deceased to conduct postmortem examinations due to the absence of funds.
The staffer's submission has brought to the fore the lacunae in the government-run hospital, where up to 35 postmortem examinations are carried out every month.
Probe Team Constituted After Allegations
Deputy Commissioner Ravi Anand constituted a probe team after the relatives of Parwa Devi and her two daughters, who drowned in a pond on April 19, alleged that Ram had sought Rs 5,000. Led by Sub Divisional Officer Jahur Alam, the team comprised Civil Surgeon Dr. Satyendra Singh, Deputy Medical Superintendent (Sadar Hospital) Dr. Pankaj Kumar, and the hospital manager. The team submitted its report to the Deputy Commissioner on Thursday.
Ram also told the panel that conducting one postmortem examination usually costs up to Rs 600, excluding labour charges. If an assistant is hired, an additional Rs 500 must be paid.
Lack of Equipment and Unpaid Wages
Ram reportedly claimed that he must arrange equipment on his own, as they are not provided by the hospital. “In cases of unidentified bodies, Ram said, he has to shell out of his own pocket for buying PPE kits, surgical blades, candles, markers, seals, viscera containers, among others,” a source said.
Ram also told the probe team that he was hired through an outsourcing agency for a monthly honorarium of Rs 9,000 but has not been paid for four months. Alam said these issues will be taken up in the next hospital management committee meeting. “A budget will be fixed for post-mortems and dedicated kits containing all necessary equipment will be prepared,” he said.
Hospital Management Takes Action
With Ram under scanner, the hospital management has hired a nurse to conduct postmortem examinations at the hospital.
