DDO catches hold as Dhiraj Hospital attempts to scam

DDO and CDHO’s review of Dhiraj Hospital revealed that the hospital showed 469 admitted patients, whereas, in reality, the number of patients at the hospital was roughly half of it.

In the update given by Dhiraj Hospital to O.S.D Vinod Rao on May 1, they noted that a total of 469 were admitted, with roughly 329 patients on beds that were being paid for by the state government. The District Development Officer said, “We grew suspicious of the numbers, and along with the CDHO and doctors from the medial department, went to the hospital to check the numbers.” He added that the hospital administration had also tried to derail the investigation by citing their reputation.

After surveying the on-ground situation, it was found by the DDO that only 234 patients were actually undergoing treatment at the hospital. Hence, the hospital administration, in effect, had inflated the numbers by approximately 50%. While a further investigation into the case is going on, the CDHO has cancelled the hospital’s MOU as a result of its primary investigation. Furthermore, the remuneration and bill payment to Dhiraj Hospital payment for patients from March and April has also been stalled. Correct measures were taken promptly, and the State Government did not incur any losses, the DDO added.

The Vadodara administration under O.S.D Vinod Rao had issued guidelines for Dhiraj Hospital to set up a 1000-bed facility in its premises. According to the notice, Dhiraj Hospital was to have 600 oxygen beds, 200 ICU beds, and 200 room-air beds. Dhiraj Hospital’s administration, following the directives, said that they had erected a 600-bed facility at the hospital.