15 beggars with outpatient slips picked up from OGH

Hyderabad: Twenty-five beggars, seven insurance agents and other miscreants were picked up by the East Zone police in a cordon and search in Osmania General Hospital on Saturday.

A total of 150 police personnel questioned and searched 800 patients in the building. Of them 25 beggars who had out-patient slips were picked up as they came in the morning and late in the evening and camped in the corridors of the hospital.  Homeless and abandoned people who were in the parking areas and in the corridors and walkaways between two buildings were picked up. They are to be sent to Anand Ashram. 

The search operation came as a major surprise for everyone. A senior official said, “Insurance agents position themselves near the outpatient department of the emergency wing and whenever an accident case comes they meet the family and assure them of claims.”

OGH superintendent Dr Nagander said, “The operation was conducted so that patients who are actually ailing and sick can feel safe. There have always been complaints of theft. Due to so many gates it is difficult to monitor. The recent rape case has got the police to come here and inspect the premises.” 

The police has also chalked out a list of suggestions like CCTV cameras, checking of patients after 2.30 in the afternoon and not allowing any person with out-patient slips after out-patient hours.

Junior doctors for long state that they have not been feeling safe and there are petty thefts which occur very regularly inside the hospital premises. They have for long been demanding that there must be better security arrangements. 

There are 40 security men presently inside the campus but their efficiency is a cause of concern. A senior doctor on condition of anonymity explained, "During peak hours, the security is monitoring at the gate. But they also have to move around and check the area regularly. The work has to be round the clock. Only waiting at the gate does not help. We find a lot of people jumping over the parapet walls and coming inside the campus. A lot of people get old people from the bus stop at night and abandon them inside the premises. This is a very regular affair and this has now become a habit."