SRINAGAR: Patients needing gynecology care with their attendants in Pulwama are up against the district hospital authorities for failing to curb menace of tip culture going on for many years.
The attendants said that as soon as an expectant mother delivers a baby, paramedics and other staff asks them for tips.
We were asked by some paramedic employees, even some security persons, to give us money as tip, the attendants of a Pulwama lady who delivered a baby recently at the hospital said. Initially, we did not relent, but soon we feared that the paramedics would not treat the patient and the baby unfairly in the ward.
They ended up paying Rs 1200 to them for fear of mistreatment to the mother and baby.
The relatives of the woman had submitted a formal complaint to the Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr Mohammad Saleem.
Admitting the tip incident to have taken place, the medical superintended ordered an inquiry confirming the claims. At least, four employees of the hospital had demanded the money, the enquiry confirmed.
Exactly Such tip culture exists in the hospital. But when attendants complain, we take action. A nurse, another employee of the gynecology section, a security guard and two other temporary employees were found involved in the incident, Dr Saleem told said.
He said as punishment all these accused were fined Rs 2000 after they were identified by the attendants and the patient.
Another attendant of Pulwama said that last year he admitted his wife in the hospital.
After delivery of the baby, the employees demanded money from me as tip. I rejected their demands. But they pressured me till I paid them Rs 2200 as tip, he said.
Such complaints galore in the hospital, however, very few muster courage to complain.
Whenever we receive any such complaint we take action, the medical superintendent said.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
