In a damning sting operation, India Today TV has laid bare the systemic corruption crippling Lucknow’s government-run healthcare system. The exposé, conducted across hospitals like Balrampur and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Civil Hospital, shows patients being forced to bribe staff to receive treatment and purchase medicines that were supposed to be free. Ward boys, compounders, and even clerical staff were caught on camera accepting small bribes — sometimes as little as ₹100 — to allow patients to jump queues or obtain prescriptions.
At Balrampur Hospital, one of the busiest public hospitals in the city, patients crowded stairwells and corridors while alleging they were asked to buy “unavailable” medicines from outside shops. Some were reportedly told to pay ₹300 weekly for routine medication. A middleman named “Raja” allegedly collected money to move patients ahead in line, operating openly within hospital premises.
Tick-Marked Prescriptions and VIP Shortcuts: A Tale of Two Systems
The report describes how government doctors — many allegedly working in tandem with nearby private pharmacies — used coded ‘tick marks’ on prescriptions to direct patients to outside chemists. These marked prescriptions, understood to mean the medicine was to be bought rather than provided for free, were commonplace. Patients undergoing long-term treatments like thyroid or gynecological care said they never received any medication at the hospital, and were instead guided to shops outside.
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In another incident, a compounder at the ultrasound wing promised faster scans for money, while a radiology department worker reportedly accepted ₹100 to push a patient ahead. Meanwhile, VIP patients — including lawyers, police officers, and their families — received immediate treatment while ordinary citizens waited hours.
Aftermath and Official Response: ‘Strict Action’ Promised
Uttar Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister, Brajesh Pathak, responded to the sting by visiting Balrampur Hospital for a surprise inspection. He admitted the existence of malpractice, including the use of “tick marks” to signal patients to buy medicines outside. Notices were issued to two doctors involved, and disciplinary action is said to be underway.
Pathak acknowledged that hospitals receive adequate supplies and that 20% of the medicine budget is earmarked for emergencies. He promised stern action, reiterating that “no patient should ever be forced to spend from their pocket when the government has made provisions for free treatment.”
However, this revelation — while drawing swift condemnation — also highlights the broader issue of how normalized corruption has become within public healthcare.