MBMC files FIR against private hospital for defying Covid norms

The Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has exposed a racket involving the management of a private dedicated Covid-19 hospital which joined hands with two local pathology labs to manipulate swab test reports and fleece patients in the twin-city.

The health department officials received information that the hospital in association with the pathology labs were generating dubious test reports and in some cases falsely terming mild and moderate cases as severe ones to get them admitted in their establishments with the sole intention of minting money under the guise of treatment. After confirming the authenticity of the information, the health department officials alerted the municipal commissioner.

Taking a serious note of the matter, municipal commissioner Dilip Dhole not only disallowed Orchid Multispecialty Hospital in Mira Road from continuing to serve as a dedicated Covid-19 treatment facility, but also passed directions to immediately file an FIR against the owner of the hospital and both the pathology labs. “We will not tolerate nor spare any such activities which can put lives of people in danger. Standing instructions have been issued to the task force to keep an eye on all medical institutions to ensure genuine guidance and proper care to citizens,” said Dhole.

Based on the complaint registered by MBMC’s medical officer, Dr Brijesh Patel, the Naya Nagar police registered a FIR under the relevant sections of the IPC and Epidemic Diseases Act- 1987 against the trio. However, arrests were yet to follow, till reports last came in. A show cause notice has also been slapped on all the three establishments asking why their licences should not be cancelled due to the detection of serious anomalies. Their replies will ascertain the future course of action against them, said a health officer.