Latest news with #AIIMSBhopal
India Today
21 hours ago
- Health
- India Today
Health ministry probes AIIMS Bhopal over irregularities in medicine purchases
A team of officials from the Union Health Ministry visited AIIMS Bhopal to examine documents related to medicine procurement, following allegations by Bhopal MP Alok Sharma that the institute purchased medicines at inflated the matter was raised before the AIIMS Standing Committee on Finance during a meeting in Delhi. The central team arrived at AIIMS Bhopal on Thursday morning and examined documents related to the purchase of medicines. The team also met the Director of the institute and enquired about the purchase process. advertisement The institute has been accused of purchasing medicines directly without following the rules of the central government. In his complaint, Bhopal MP Alok Sharma mentioned that the prices of medicines purchased by AIIMS Bhopal are much more expensive than the AIIMS of other states. Sharma, who is also a member of the AIIMS standing committee, said that he had received a complaint that the injection of Gemcitabine was purchased by Bhopal AIIMS at Rs 2100 per piece, whereas it was purchased at Rs 425 by Raipur AIIMS of Chhattisgarh. Its price in Delhi AIIMS is Rs 285 per piece. The prices of other medicines were also found to be higher. "On May 15, a meeting of the AIIMS standing committee was held in New Delhi in the presence of Union health secretary Punya Salila Shrivastava. In the meeting, I complained regarding the high prices of medicines being purchased by AIIMS Bhopal. She assured me that an investigation will be conducted," said Sharma. advertisementHe also said that like other government hospitals, medicines are bought through tender in AIIMS. However, during the Covid-19 period, direct purchase of medicines was approved. "However, despite the end of the Covid-19 period, direct purchase of medicines continued and the figure of purchased medicines reached crores," he added. Must Watch
NDTV
2 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
"Donor Not Required": Inside Madhya Pradesh's Blood Black Market
Bhopal: In a city where hospitals are built to heal and comfort, NDTV's Operation Blood reveals a disturbing truth - a thriving black market for blood, operating openly across government and private hospitals, cancer centres, and even India's top medical institution, AIIMS Bhopal. The sting, conducted over several weeks, uncovered how patients are forced into negotiations, backdoor deals, and illegal payments just to access something as basic - and life-saving - as a unit of blood. The investigation began at Hamidia Hospital, where blood was being sold in the name of "arrangements." No medical prescription, no scrutiny - just cash. At Jai Prakash Hospital, the transaction began even before entering the premises. In the parking lot, staff and auto drivers were well aware of where blood could be sourced - Red Cross or brokers. One parking attendant said it bluntly: "Inside, they ask for donors. Outside, they ask for money." Numbers were exchanged. Promises were made. But this wasn't a humanitarian gesture - it was part of an organised, informal network. At Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital, where patients battle terminal illnesses, blood was treated not as a necessity but as a commodity. A broker offered O-negative blood for Rs 4,050. "Donor charge is Rs 3,000, cross-matching Rs 1,050," he said, unapologetically. The deal was ready, and delivery could be arranged at Hamidia, Red Cross, or anywhere else. At Navodaya Cancer Hospital, which had earlier been linked to suspicious supply chains, the price list was just as clear: "Red Cross will give it for Rs 3,000. Maybe Rs 2,500 if you go direct," one staff member said. Whether inside the ward or outside the gate, life depended not on blood type but on bargaining skills. AIIMS, or the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, is often considered the last hope for many patients. But at AIIMS Bhopal, the investigation uncovered a blood market right outside its gates, where brokers, donors, and ambulance drivers operated openly. At a pan shop nearby, Raj and Vinod, both part of this illicit network, offered blood for Rs 2,000 - Rs 2,500; no questions asked, no ID, no verification. "Say I'm your uncle. I've done this before," one donor casually said. Ambulance drivers, meant to save lives, acted as middlemen: "You'll get it for money. I'll connect you," one driver said before passing on contact details of Bhupendra, a broker who quoted Rs 3,500 per unit. Outside one of India's most prestigious hospitals, blood was available faster than an ambulance - if you could pay. If hospitals weren't selling directly, private blood banks across the city were no better - from New Bhopal Blood Bank to Manas and Lifeline, the pattern was the same. At New Bhopal Blood Bank: "Donor? Not required. Just pay Rs 2,500." At Manas Blood Bank: "Rs 2,500 if no donor. We can't reduce the rate." At Lifeline Blood Bank, once the team asked for a discount, the worker, after a quick chat with the owner inside, responded, "Sir said no." In one case, even when our undercover team pretended to be hepatitis-positive, they were still offered blood - just pay Rs 2,500. The sting operation found that no patient's name, condition, or emergency mattered. All that mattered was the price. No receipt. No proper donor check. No registration. Just a fixed rate and a whispered transaction. What was supposed to be a regulated, humanitarian process had turned into a commercial chain, run by guards, drivers, brokers, and unbothered staff. NDTV's Operation Blood doesn't just expose a few rogue players, but rips the curtain off a systemic, deeply entrenched corruption where human blood, meant to be donated selflessly, is sold like a grocery item.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
"Action Will Be Taken": Officials After NDTV's Operation Blood Exposes Black Market
Bhopal: After NDTV's Operation Blood exposed an alarming black market in blood across several top hospitals and blood banks in Bhopal, senior ministers and health officials have responded with promises of strict action, detailed investigations, and policy reviews. The multi-institutional sting uncovered how blood, meant to be donated and distributed ethically, is being sold illegally through a widespread network of brokers, ambulance drivers, and blood bank staff. Madhya Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Public Health & Medical Education, Rajendra Shukla, condemned the irregularities exposed in the sting. "Whatever illegal work is done in such cases... when it is caught, strict action is taken. It is constantly said that such things should be avoided. But if someone still does it, they do it at their own risk - and action follows." Chief Medical and Health Officer of Bhopal, Dr Manish Sharma, acknowledged the gravity of the issue. "You have raised a very important issue. The way it has come to light, it appears to be a full-fledged network. We will order a thorough investigation. Smuggling of blood must be stopped. A team will be formed, and action will be taken. The needy should receive blood at the fixed government rate. You will see results soon," he said. The sting had previously shown how brokers operated in and around Hamidia Hospital. In response, Dr Sunit Tandon, the hospital superintendent, said, "This kind of case has come to my notice for the first time, and that too through your investigation. If anyone is found guilty, we will take appropriate and firm action." Perhaps the most concerning revelation came from Ruby Khan, Deputy Director of the State Blood Cell and part of the State Blood Transfusion Council, who admitted that inspections happen only during licensing renewals. When asked if there was routine monitoring, she said, "We do it only during license renewal. If there are complaints, we investigate." "We have not received any complaints so far. If you have found such irregularities, we are ready to look into them. People should not fall into such traps. The rate fixed by the government is 1,050. If anyone is charging more, that is wrong," she added. While the sting also exposed blood being sold outside AIIMS Bhopal, Dr Ajay Singh, the Director of AIIMS, insisted that the internal system was strict. "We have rigorous vigilance. 80% of our blood comes from voluntary donation. We never accept externally sourced blood for transfusion. If a patient needs it urgently, we arrange it through government channels. We maintain a strict environment and cross-check regular donors. AIIMS Bhopal does not compromise on this," he said. In response to being named in the investigation, Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital's Medical Superintendent, Dr Harmeet Kau,r said: "We have our own blood bank and provide blood only to our patients with proper prescriptions. We do not supply blood to outsiders. If anyone from our hospital is found involved in suspicious activity, we will take action. But normally, this doesn't happen here." With blood being sold for up to Rs 7,000 despite a government-fixed rate of Rs 1,050, and networks operating outside the gates of major institutions, the issue is no longer isolated - it's systemic. NDTV has shared its findings with state health authorities. The government's response now faces public scrutiny - not just to punish the guilty, but to reform the loophole-ridden blood distribution system, ensuring that life-saving blood doesn't come at a deadly price.
India Gazette
5 days ago
- Health
- India Gazette
President Droupadi Murmu to attend state-level programme on World Sickle Cell Day in Madhya Pradesh on June 19
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], June 16 (ANI): President of India Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to participate in a state-level programme on the occasion of World Sickle Cell Day to be held in Taloon Gram Panchayat in Madhya Pradesh's Barwani district on June 19, according to an official release. President Murmu will be the chief guest at the program and Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, and other ministers will also attend the event. The release also read that several innovations would be launched, including a genetic counseling awareness video and comprehensive guidelines/modules for affected pregnant women. Panchayats that have completed 100% screening of the targeted age group will be honored. The 'Sickle Cell Mitra' initiative will also be launched in collaboration with the NCC Directorates of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Sickle Cell Mitras will act as links between service providers to raise awareness among the youth population. Additionally, special counseling camps will be set up in 33 affected districts on the occasion, where individuals will receive genetic counseling, disease management information, prospects for future generations, and details of necessary medical services. Special camps will be organized from sub-centers to district hospitals at all primary and secondary health institutions to identify patients, screen them, and test other family members, it added. The release further stated that under the National Sickle Cell Eradication Mission, over 1.06 crore citizens have been screened so far in the state, out of which over 2 lakh carriers have been identified and 29,277 people have been found to be affected by sickle cell disease. Treatment for these patients is ongoing. Over 80.09 lakh sickle cell cards have been distributed, enabling affected citizens to understand their health status and receive appropriate treatment. Continuous monitoring of screening and treatment is being done through the National Sickle Cell Portal. Patients are being provided with free treatment, genetic counseling, medicines, vaccination, and blood transfusion services. So far, 26,115 patients have received treatment with Hydroxyurea medicine. In coordination with various departments, screening camps are being continuously organized in tribal schools, colleges, and hostels. The mission in the state began on November 15, 2021, as the State Hemoglobinopathy Mission in Alirajpur and Jhabua as a pilot project. Later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the mission at the national level from Shahdol on July 1, 2023. Currently, screening is ongoing in 33 districts of the state, which includes 89 development blocks from 20 districts and 13 additional districts under the PM Janman Scheme, it added. For sickle cell eradication, a special lab has been established at AIIMS Bhopal for testing newborns within 72 hours. All identified patients are being provided Hydroxyurea, folic acid, and free blood transfusion services. For critical patients, a bone marrow transplant unit has been set up at Indore Medical College, where more than 100 transplants have been performed. A Center of Excellence has been established in Rewa. Under the mission, continuous and determined efforts are being made in Madhya Pradesh to achieve the goal of completely eliminating sickle cell disease by 2047. (ANI)
India Today
04-06-2025
- General
- India Today
3 fake Facebook profiles impersonate AIIMS Bhopal top official, alert issued
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhopal, has issued a cyber fraud warning after multiple fake social media profiles were found impersonating the institute's Executive Director, Professor (Dr) Ajay institute revealed that cybercriminals are exploiting these fraudulent accounts to mislead people and extort money through false an official statement released on Tuesday evening, AIIMS Bhopal cautioned the public against engaging with suspicious messages or friend requests from accounts bearing Prof Singh's name or Investigations confirmed that at least three fake Facebook profiles impersonating the director were created in the last two days.'These impostors are sending friend requests and then asking for money using various excuses. Unfortunately, this is not the first time such an incident has occurred. Similar fraudulent attempts have been made in the past using my name," Ajay Singh institute has urged people to verify any communication claiming to be from Professor Singh and to promptly report any suspicious activity to law Watch
