Medical College doctors question Apollo hospital referrals:Bhaskar English accesses referral discharge forms, doctors raise serious concerns over healthcare infrastructure

Doctors of Medical College Kolkata have questioned the state government’s decision to offer injured Chorebagan stampede victims the option of receiving treatment at Apollo Hospital after they had been admitted to Kolkata Medical College and Hospital, alleging that the move raises serious concerns about the state-run healthcare system. On-call doctor describes admissions and emergency treatmen One of the on-call doctors told Bhaskar English that around seven to eight patients had already been admitted to Kolkata Medical College and Hospital, with their admission paperwork completed and emergency treatment initiated. Bhaskar English accesses patient referral documents Bhaskar English has accessed referral forms of some patients injured in the Chauraha incident who were admitted to Kolkata Medical College and Hospital before being referred to Apollo Hospital. Doctor alleges instructions came from senior authorities The doctor alleged that instructions subsequently came from senior authorities through the state health department, the MSVP and heads of departments to offer patients’ families the option of transferring them to large private corporate hospitals such as Apollo for faster treatment. Doctors question referrals from tertiary-care institutions The doctor further claimed that the police recorded the contact details of families opting for the transfer and that the government assured them that the cost of treatment at the private hospital would be borne by the state. Questioning the decision, the doctor pointed out that Kolkata Medical College and Hospital is a tertiary-care institution, which receives patients referred from primary healthcare centres and district hospitals and is expected to provide advanced medical services. Doctor raises concerns over government hospital capabilities “How can a patient be referred from a tertiary-care hospital like Kolkata Medical College?” the doctor asked, arguing that the move could raise questions about the capacity of the state’s premier government medical institution to provide timely and advanced treatment. Questions raised over emergency care and referrals The doctor also criticised the health minister, alleging that he was seen speaking to the relatives of patients in the crowded emergency department and asking which families wanted their patients to receive treatment at Apollo. According to the doctor, the episode raises concerns about whether the government hospital could provide treatment of comparable quality and speed.