Health officials visit IGIMS amid controversy over Lalu's ‘inspection’

Patna: A day after RJD chief Lalu Prasad made a “surprise inspection” of Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) and drew flak from opposition BJP, state health department’s principal secretary R K Mahajan visited IGIMS on Monday amid speculations that health minister and Lalu’s eldest son Tej Pratap Yadav would inspect the healthcare facility later in the day. Health department sources admitted to TOI that the principal secretary’s visit was not pre-scheduled and it came amid controversy over Lalu’s visit with BJP questioning in what capacity Lalu inspected a government hospital. After the “surprise inspection”, Lalu reportedly asked his son to visit health institutes of the state. However, the health minister did not visit IGIMS on Monday.
BJP MLC and former deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi has asked CM Nitish Kumar to explain how could Lalu inspect a government hospital and give instructions to hospital officials.
Lalu during the inspection, it may be recalled, had called IGIMS director Dr N K Biswas and asked him to improve the facilities. He also assured the director that he would push the demands of the institute if they were presented before the principal secretary by the director.
Modi said, “Lalu’s son is the health minister. When questions related to the health department were raised in the legislative council, he was absent as he was unwell. And now we find Lalu inspecting IGIMS.”
Taking potshots at the ongoing war of words between JD (U) and RJD, Modi said Lalu had few days ago offered advice to none other than the CM on law and order in the state. “This shows two power centres have evolved in the government. Lalu is trying to prove Nitish has failed and is getting directly involved in governance. If allowed, Lalu will not hesitate in chairing cabinet meetings.”
Modi said Nitish must make Lalu the ‘super CM’ by designating him the chairman of an advisory council in the same manner as ex-PM Manmohan Singh had designated Congress president Sonia Gandhi in UPA regime.
However, JD (U) defended Lalu’s visit. Party spokesman Sanjay Singh said, “Lalu Prasad is the leader of Mahagathbandhan. In that capacity, he can visit a government hospital. He did not give any official instruction.” RJD, meanwhile, did not issue any statement.
When contacted by TOI, IMA’s Bihar chapter functionaries also refused to comment on Lalu’s surprise visit to IGIMS.
Meanwhile, Mahajan directed the IGIMS director to start by-pass surgery and kidney transplant at the hospital soon. Trauma care should be improved, Mahajan reportedly told the director.
The team of health officials, who included deputy secretary Anil Kumar Singh, was peeved to see the poor condition of 30-bed emergency ward.
The director presented a list of immediate demands to the team. He demanded Rs 25 crore for payments and other work, Rs 10 crore for equipment and Rs 25 crore in this financial year for the construction of a new college building. He also sought release of funds for the construction of a tertiary cancer centre. The Centre’s share for the cancer centre is lying unused with the institute.