Private hospital staff divert patients from Victoria hospital

BENGALURU: The situation at Victoria Hospital has become alarming due to the aggressive tactics employed by private hospital staff. They are reportedly pressuring ambulance drivers to divert patients to their hospital, often using intimidation and force when their demands are not met.

Despite police complaints, the problem persists, with staff even threatening doctors who speak out. This has created a fearful atmosphere, making it challenging for medical professionals to work without panic.

Private hospital staff are allegedly harassing patients and ambulance drivers, coercing them to shift patients to their facilities. This behaviour includes physical assault on drivers who refuse to comply and even threats against doctors who report these incidents.

The lack of action from authorities has emboldened these private hospital staff, leading to repeated incidents of rowdyism and patient suffering.

In one recent case, a patient died due to a lack of beds at Victoria Hospital. At this time, three or four private hospitals have pressured the family to admit them to their hospital. When the ambulance driver did not agree to this, they assaulted him. Not only that, a private hospital staff member blocked their way and attacked the family.

Doctors have previously raised this issue with the Lokayukta, but so far, no meaningful steps have been taken to address the problem. The ongoing inaction has only worsened the situation, leaving patients and medical staff to deal with these aggressive practices.

The injured ambulance driver who was assaulted by private hospital staff at Victoria Hospital said the staff forced him to divert the patient to their hospital, despite not being affiliated with Victoria Hospital. When he questioned them about checking the patient’s condition while on board the ambulance, they abused him. The situation escalated when they asked him to take the patient to another private hospital, and upon his inquiry about their act.