An Indore hospital that was supposed to be a 100-bed facility has existed only on paper for six years, despite being listed as 'fully operational' in official records. The anomaly has raised questions about whether it is a bureaucratic oversight or a deliberate scam.
87 posts created, transfers made, but no building
According to documents accessed by DH, the Madhya Pradesh health department created 87 sanctioned posts for the hospital, including doctors, nurses, and support staff. Transfers were also processed for personnel to this non-existent facility. However, no physical construction ever took place.
The hospital was initially proposed in 2020 to serve a densely populated area of Indore. The project was approved and funds were allocated, but the building was never built.
Chief medical officer cites land issues
Madhav Hasani, chief medical and health officer of Indore, said the construction was delayed because 'suitable government land could not be identified in the area.' He added that the department is still searching for a plot.
Critics, however, point out that six years is an unusually long time to find land, especially when the hospital was declared operational in official records. Some have alleged that the posts and transfers were used to siphon salaries or create fake appointments.
Impact on healthcare services
The absence of the hospital has left residents without access to inpatient care in that part of the city. Patients have to travel several kilometers to other facilities. The state health department has not yet commented on the discrepancy or announced any action.
The matter has been raised in local political circles, with opposition leaders demanding an inquiry. They have called the episode a 'paper scam' that wasted public money and compromised healthcare delivery.
