Book blows lid off corruption among doctors in private hospitals

An intriguing book — which alleges that doctors carry out bogus surgeries in order to meet sales targets and further their own profits, thus robbing patients of their hard-earned money — has created a flutter among the medical fraternity and masses alike. After it was published, even Indian Medical Association members have raised their eyebrows at the alleged malpractices rampant among doctors in private hospitals and pharma companies.

Dr Arun Gadre and Dr Abhay Shukla penned the book, 'Dissenting Diagnosis', which was published by Penguin. It has exposed a range of malpractices in the medical profession, mainly in private hospitals.

Both the authors are associated with Pune-based SATHI organisation that works for the betterment of the healthcare system to benefit the common man.

While in the process of writing the book, the authors interviewed 78 doctors across the country. During these interviews, some shocking revelations were made to Gadre and Shukla — for example, doctors carry out malpractices in order to achieve the targets set by some hospitals, since some such hospitals and pharma companies give rewards to those doctors who achieve their sales targets.

Gadre, who himself is a gynecologist, said: "First of all, we had no intention to malign the image of doctors on the whole. Secondly, we have not said a single word written in this book — we simply gathered whatever the doctors told us and put it in. Some of the doctors' bodies might get angry over this issue, but we could not help it — the truth should be out in front of the public. These corporate and private hospitals are turning this profession into a business. You can ask any new doctor how difficult it is to start a practice. The system is such that to get a patient, a doctor is even forced to pay commissions to other doctors."

Another shocking malpractice described in the book is that some doctors give patients a dose of anesthesia before claiming to perform a required surgery, and then just perform some stitches and pretend that the surgery has been done. Yet another revelation is that many diagnostic labs pay commissions of between 30% and 50% to doctors for referring patients to the labs.

Dr Jayesh Lele, president, Indian Medical Association, Maharshtra branch, said: "There are some doctors who might carry out malpractices, but it does not mean that all doctors are doing such kinds of things to achieve their targets. These doctors (Gadre and Shukla) have the right to write this book but we are not in agreement with what's written in it."

But Dr Sanjay Nagral, consultant, Jaslok Hospital told dna: "The authors interviewed me as well for the book and it is written very accurately. It's very good that they have disclosed these malpractices carried out by some of the doctors. It's a good book. I completely agree with the authors."

Dr Sagar Mundada, president, Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors, said: "This situation (described in the book) has occurred because of MBA graduates and corporates. They are the biggest culprits in converting hospitals into health malls, making the medical profession a business rather than a service."