Lens on government medical officer who sought bribe

Chennai: A doctor at Porur government hospital demanded a bribe of `100 from people who came to her office for medical fitness certificates, which are mandatory to renew driving licences.Videos shot by P Senthil Kumar, a Chennai-based social activist, show the medical officer saying that it was not a bribe but a 'donation'. She also said Porur Hospital was a cheaper option compared to other government tertiary care hospitals in the city where doctors demand 500 to 2,000 before signing such certificates.However, later in the video, when the activist refused to pay the money without a fee receipt, the doctor said that she never received a single rupee as a bribe in all her 20 years of service. This amount too will be used only for hospital maintenance, she said. As the activist remained persistent, the doctor issued the certificate without taking the money. Despite attempts, Dr A Shanmugakani, Director of Medical Services, did not respond to queries.

45 medical officers join ESI hospitals

Forty-five medical officers have been appointed to various ESI hospitals and dispensaries in Odisha during a recent orientation program. The Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, emphasized the importance of providing quality and free healthcare to all citizens, regardless of their financial status. He stated that the state's healthcare system is based on the principle of "Sustha Odisha Sukhi Odisha," ensuring that nobody is denied healthcare due to lack of funds.

Class-I officer held accepting 4L bribe

A class-I officer in Nashik was caught accepting a bribe of Rs 4 lakh. The officer, who was posted as a sub-divisional engineer, had demanded the bribe in lieu of clearing a bill of Rs 4.82 crore. The officer had also promised to return a deposit of Rs 35 lakh. This incident is part of a larger issue of corruption in various sectors, as highlighted by recent cases involving treasury officers, engineers, and railway officials.

Kolkata doctors emphasize on integrating clinical pharmacology services in hospitals to ensure patient safety

Experts discussed the importance of integrating clinical pharmacology services in hospitals during a seminar in Kolkata to commemorate World Patient Safety Day. They emphasized the establishment of super-specialty clinical pharmacology departments in West Bengal's medical colleges as a crucial step in enhancing patient care, reducing errors, and improving healthcare services. Clinical pharmacologists play a pivotal role in assessing medication appropriateness, preventing errors, managing adverse reactions, ensuring treatment adherence, and providing specialized care and monitoring for high-risk patients. The seminar also highlighted the role of clinical pharmacologists in ensuring the safety of athletes, particularly footballers.