Question : USE OF SUB STANDARD CARDIAC VALVES IN HOSPITALS

(a) whether the Government is aware that some hospitals obtain sub-standard Cardiac Valves close to expiry dates free or at nominal rates and then charge patients the full amounts or even a premium as reported in the Times of India dated June 06, 2005;

(b) if so, the details of the facts thereof;

(c) whether the Government has made any enquiry to check these unethical practices being resorted to by the doctors in these hospitals;

(d) if so, the findings of the said enquiry;

(e) whether the Government has found any nexus between the Doctors/Hospitals and the manufacturers in this regard; and

(f) if so, the action taken/proposed to be taken by Government against the guilty doctors/hospitals/manufacturers?

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. ANBUMANI RAMADOSS)

(a)to(f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.146 FOR 3RD AUGUST, 2005

Yes, Sir. The Government is aware of the news item published in Times of India dated 6th June, 05, titled `Heart of Darkness: The Valve Con`.

Health being a State subject, it is for the State Government to regulate/monitor the functioning of its hospitals, including private hospitals as well as to ensure that they comply with the norms/regulations prescribed by respective State Governments as well as to take punitive action against private hospitals/doctors in cases of proven unethical and unscrupulous conduct. In cases of overcharging of price or supply of sub-standard devices, the aggrieved party can also take recourse to legal remedies under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 which covers the private hospitals/private medical practitioners.

In addition, the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, complaints with regard to professional misconduct can be brought before the Medical Council of India or the concerned State Medical Council, as the case may be, for disciplinary action. If found guilty, appropriate Medical Council may award such punishment as deemed necessary or may direct the removal altogether or for a specified period the name of the delinquent from the register of registered medical practitioners.

In so far as three Central Government Hospitals in Delhi, namely, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital and LHMC& its associated hospitals are concerned, no proven incident has come to the notice of this Ministry regarding procurement of sub-standard Cardiac Valves close to expiry dates free or at nominal rates and then charging patients the full amount or even a premium.

Medicines/medical equipments for these hospitals are procured after following prescribed codal formalities for which Purchase Committees are set up in these hospitals. No report regarding nexus between these hospitals and the manufacturers has come to the notice of this Ministry.

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