Doc, who threatened to thrash health minister, faces probe

Recent allegations of medical negligence resulting in death of two patients and extorting exuberant charges against an Adityapur-based doctor, who recently threatened to thrash health minister in a viral video, have surfaced in front of a district level investigation team on Friday, officials said.

“We have recorded statements of stakeholders and examining the documents. The civil surgeon and a team of doctors are looking into the medical aspects of the allegations against 111 Save Life Hospital in Adityapur and its owner Dr OP Anand and management. We will submit our report in 2-3 days,” Subodh Kumar, Seraikela-Kharsawan additional district collector (ADC, land and revenue), said.

As per available information, families of at least two Covid-19 patients, who died at 111 Save Life Hospital during the past couple of days, narrated their ordeal, detailing alleged mismanagement, exuberant charges, misbehaviour to the probe team at Gamharia public health center (PHC).

The probe team, formed on direction of the health minister to investigate the recent allegations against the private hospital, will submit its report within 72 hours.

The two bereaved families also accused Dr Anand, his wife Sarita Anand and their son Dr Rakshit Anand of negligence, leading to the deaths. They also alleged extortion of exuberant bills and mental torture by the hospital.

Earlier, Dr Anand in a video that went viral threatened to “beat up” health minister Banna Gupta for directing a probe at his hospital last Sunday. He, however, on Monday apologised for his comments.

However, Seraikela-Kharsawan civil surgeon in-charge Dr Bariyar Mardi lodged an FIR against Dr Anand and hospital management at RIT police stat in this connection.

The district level probe team was also investigating Dr Anand’s medical degree, apart from land documents of the hospital after sources hinted at certain irregularities found during investigation.