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Myorpur/Sonbhadra-

A serious case has come to light of a pregnant woman referred from the local Community Health Center (CHC) being sent to a private hospital for an expensive operation instead of being taken to the district hospital. It is alleged that a middleman active on the way coaxed the family members to take them to a private hospital in Robertsganj and got the operation done and later a huge bill of Rs 40 to 50 thousand was handed over.

Jairam, a resident of Baridod of Gram Panchayat Padri, said that he had taken his pregnant wife Pooja to the CHC for treatment, from where the doctors referred her to the district hospital. After referral, when he was going to the district hospital by ambulance, on the way a quack doctor assured him of help and made him sit in his personal car. He also took along another referred woman from the village.

The family members allege that instead of taking them to the district hospital, both the women were taken to a private hospital, where the operation was done without giving complete information and later a bill of Rs 50 to 60 thousand was made. The victim says that the quack misled her by saying that delivery in a private hospital is safer and cheaper.

Local people allege that many middlemen are active around the CHC, who divert the referred pregnant women and their families to private hospitals by scaring them and giving false assurances. There is also talk of involvement of some Asha workers in this network.

In this regard, CHC Superintendent Dr. P.N. Singh said that the complaint has been received in written form and has been sent to higher officials. He said that along with sealing the private hospitals running without registration in the area, strict action will be taken against the accused quacks and their associated networks. This case raises serious questions on the role of illegal brokers operating around government health institutions.