Lokayukta flags irregularities at Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: Karnataka Lokayukta said there are several irregularities at Victoria Hospital following a suo motu probe into the functioning of private ambulances and patient care practices on its campus. Investigation revealed other lacunae, including expired medicines and unused ICU beds in the Trauma and Emergency Care Centre (TECC).The Lokayukta said the inquiry was initiated after receiving complaints that private ambulance operators and middlemen were exploiting patients by luring them to private hospitals under the pretext of inadequate facilities at Victoria Hospital. These agents were reportedly operating within the hospital premises, persuading doctors and attendants to shift patients, with some hospital staff allegedly encouraging use of private ambulances.Medical officers said shortage of beds is a key factor enabling such exploitation and even assaults on doctors and staff of the hospital.The Lokayukta constituted a committee to conduct a surprise inspection and report on the alleged maladministration in the hospital. The report said expired medicines were found in the TECC ICU and that an emergency patient was declined admission on grounds that no beds were available even though there were six vacant beds in the ICU. It later emerged the beds were non-functional due to faulty ventilators, pointing to negligence in maintenance.Lokayukta directed police to step up surveillance and curb the activities of unauthorised ambulance operators and middlemen. It also asked the govt to consider introducing a prepaid ambulance system to regulate services.