Madurai: Three housekeepers from Theni Government College Hospital were dismissed for allegedly donning the role of doctors and treating patients in the hospital.
Following a private news channel telecasting recently a video showing a few housekeepers, employed on a contract basis in the hospital, treating patients, R. Narayanababu, director (in-charge) of Medical Education inspected the hospital on Sunday. He conducted separate inquiries with doctors and nurses.
Speaking to reporters after the inspection, Narayanababu said that three housekeepers were terminated from their contract following complaints that they provided first aid to the patients. However, he denied the allegation that they had administered injection to the patients. “The housekeepers had only rubbed the skin at the injection site,” he said.
When asked whether action would be taken against the doctors and nurses who encourage the housekeepers to provide treatment to the patients, Narayanababu said that two senior doctors in administration would visit the hospital on Monday to conduct a through investigation on this issue. “Further action will be taken based a report submit by them after a week,” he said.
Meanwhile, Theni Medical College Hospital Dean Prof Dr Thirunavukkarasu said that around 300 workers have been employed through Padmavathi private agencies on contract basis to work as housekeepers, supervisors and watchmen in the hospital.
Denying that they were involved in treating the patients, the dean said that they have 166 doctors and 276 nurses to treat the patients.
More than 1000 patients visit the hospital on daily basis, but the medical strength is sufficient to treat them, he added. Commenting on this, Ravi Sidharaman, members of Nurses Welfare Association said that such incidents happen because hospital administration doesn’t have direct control over them.
“As the housekeepers are employed on contract system, they neither fear the doctors nor the nurses,” he said adding that this emboldened them to collect bribes from attendants.
