Govt doc runs private hospital,gets pulled up by court

Sachan,an associate professor at the Pharmacology Department of CSMMU,is also the founder of Shekhar Hospital in the city.

Though he claims to have dissociated himself from the hospital,last week,he moved court as its Managing Director against the government’s decision to seal two ultrasound machines in the hospital and suspend its license to conduct prenatal diagnostic tests.

Refusing to entertain Sachan’s writ petition,the court ordered him to appear in person and reply in what capacity he has been running Shekhar Hospital. Justice Pradeep Kant expressed surprise over the audacity of a government doctor moving court against a government decision,when he himself is guilty of violating rules.

The ultra-sound machines were sealed in July 2008 during a Health Department raid. The Chief Medical Officer of Lucknow had sealed them as it was found that the hospital had failed to complete the mandatory registration formalities under the Preconception and Prenatal Diagnostic Technique (Prohibition and Sex Selection) Act,1994.

During the hearing of a separate writ petition,the court had already asked Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University to take strict action against doctors indulging in private practice. The CSMMU has already prepared a report against 11 doctors on basis of a sting operation.

The CSMMU administration said it is planning to issue a showcause notice to these doctors. The CSMMU sources,however,said Sachan does not figure in the list of 11.

Asked about the allegations against him,Sachan said: “I founded Shekhar Hospital and was closely associated with it but only till 2002,before I joined my services at CSMMU. I am no longer associated with the hospital and instead,my wife Richa looks after it.”

But asked about the board displaying his name as managing director of the hospital and even the petition he has filed as MD,Sachan said: “It is an old signboard and the petition was in my name because ultra-sound machine was purchased on old documents,when I was associated with the hospital.”

Sachan said that he is a pharmachology professor and thus,there is there no question about his involvement in any private medical practice.