Three middlemen arrested for duping patients at SCB Medical College

According to news reports, the accused have been part of an organised gang targeting needy families in urgent need of blood at the hospital.  

It is alleged that the accused approached the attendants accompanying the patients, assured them that they would arrange for blood as quickly as possible, and subsequently extorted money from them by making false promises. 

According to the Ommcomnews media news report, the matter came to light when Bibekananda Behera of Balikuda filed a complaint. According to the complaint, he alleged that the accused defrauded him while he was attempting to arrange for blood.

Upon receiving the complaint, the Mangalbag Police Station immediately registered a case and initiated an investigation, and subsequently arrested the three individuals. However, they have been produced in court.

Meanwhile, further investigations are underway to determine whether additional individuals are involved in this network, and inquiries are also being conducted to identify potential links to private healthcare operators.

The police stated that such middlemen often exploit the chaotic conditions prevailing in busy government hospitals, where patients' families face significant difficulties arranging essential medical assistance, including blood units.

In numerous instances, these agents are also suspected of persuading patients to transfer from government hospitals to private nursing homes by luring them with the promise of superior medical treatment; this has heightened suspicions regarding the existence of a large-scale and organised racket.

This incident has once again highlighted the persistent challenge posed by unauthorized middlemen operating within and around public health institutions, despite repeated strict action taken against them by the authorities.