SHRC calls for report on touts fleecing patients

The TN State Human Rights Commission has directed the Director of Medical Education to enquire and submit a report within two weeks on touts fleecing patients at the Stanley Medical Hospital  in Washermanpet.

SHRC member Jayanthi, IAS (retired), gave the direction last week while entertaining a complaint filed in public interest by advocate K Sudhan, based on a newspaper report.

The complaint stated that the hospital was having about 1,500 inpatients and 5000 outpatients on an average every day. This was the lifeline hospital for all sick persons from North Chennai, Tiruvallur district and those coming from far off places in Andhra Pradesh.

Stanley Hospital was famous for some of its speciality treatments like heart ailments, plastic surgery on limbs, etc.

The news item revealed that the hospital was now infested with touts claiming to know several doctors and that they demanded money from the patients. They also gave promises that they could arrange surgeries for any patient on a priority or out of turn basis.

Though it was not known as to whether these touts really had any tie up with the doctors, it was quite obvious that numerous relatives of patients awaiting surgeries had successfully accomplished their desired task with the help of these freelance touts.

The other aspect highlighted in the news item was that the womenfolk visiting the hospital during nights were harassed and subjected to eve teasing. The complainant prayed the commission to issue suitable orders.