Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, July 24: Two female patients, Miss Imbrencia Lakra, a resident of Campbell Bay and Mrs Sangeeta Das, residents of Neil Islands who have been referred to the MIOT Hospital by the Directorate of Health Services under ANISHI Scheme, for kidney transplantation are undergoing severe mental agony, as the MIOT Hospital reportedly refused to carry out the treatment of these patients under the scheme.
The attendant of the patients allege that despite the patients have been referred under the ANISHI Scheme, the hospital is not bothering about the scheme and asking them to deposit the money in cash to carry out the treatment, otherwise the hospital will not treat the patient.
In a letter addressed to the Lt Governor, Directorate of Health Services and the Member of the Parliament the father of Miss Imbrencia Lakra, Mr Paulus Lakra stated that since last 8 days his daughter with donor and attendant is staying outside the hospital with their own expenses even though they were referred by the Health Department to MIOT Hospital, which is adding to their misery day by day.
“It is my humble request to save the precious life of my daughter,” Mr Paulus added in the letter.
Similarly, suffering with the same problem husband of Mrs Sangeeta Das, Mr Narrottam Das has also pleaded the Lt Governor, Directorate of Health Services and the Member of the Parliament that since 6th July his wife with donor and attendant is staying outside the hospital paying from their own pocket but till date the MIOT Hospital has not even started their treatment.
If this is the attitude of the MIOT Hospital, the administration should immediately remove the MIOT Hospital from the ANISHI Scheme empanelment and empanel some other Multi Specialty Hospital in Chennai to help the economically weaker sections of these islands.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, the Nodal Officer ANISHI Scheme, Directorate of Health Services, Dr Amitabh Dey said that if the patient is entitled for the scheme he/she is paid only 5 lakhs under the scheme for treatment and the rest cost, if any, the patient has to shoulder by the patient.
In some special cases only Lt Governor has the power to grant additional fund.
“I have not received any complaint yet in these cases. As soon as I receive a complaint I will look into the matter,” Dr Amitabh Dey added.
We have treated 185 patients from Andaman. The outstanding bill is Rs. 1.20 Cr. We are yet to receive this. Once the government pays this we can take up further cases.