Jammu
Health department officials scripted major fraud during COVID-19 days in Poonch district; CMO ignored District Immunization officer, Directorate Health Services under radar
Health department officials scripted major fraud during COVID-19 days in Poonch district; CMO ignored District Immunization officer, Directorate Health Services under radar
POONCH TODAY NEWS
POONCH: Brazen misuse of funds reported in Health department Poonch, particularly in Raja Sukhdev Singh hospital and in the office of various BMOs of Poonch district on the name of COVID-19 as it proved as a “Goldmine” for corrupt officers of Health department who grabbed the opportunity with folded hands. The role of Director Health Jammu is also under investigation as massive scam reported in the distribution of funds to various districts to meet COVID-19 emergences. In a shocking state of affairs, District Immunization officer, who is a very senior doctor and supposed to look after Immunization drive in the district, was sidelined by CMO and authorities of Raja Sukhdev Singh hospital Poonch and all immunization exercise is being done under the full control of Chief Medical officer, eyeing brazen misuse of funds. A former Medical Superintendent was also a part of this high profile COVID-19 fraud. Open fraud was going on in Health department Poonch and top ranked officers of Health Department were aware of this, but their continuous silence is still questionable. Providing of COVID-19 related apparatus to patients is also a big scam of Health department Poonch, because majority of patients were not provided COVID-19 kits containing few apparatus for monitoring day to day condition of patients. Withdrawing fake and very high bills on installation of sanitization tunnels and purchasing related to COVID-19 have come under the radar of anti graft agencies as health department officials including the office of Medical Superintendent Raja Sukhdev Singh hospital Poonch may be taken to task by government. COVID-19 is the biggest blunder in Poonch district during recent times and Health department remained a major gainer as far as misusing funds are concerned. As per the reports of some agencies, COVID-19 gave massive opportunities to the tainted officials of Poonch administration, particularly Health department to loot public money openly. Why no responsibility was given to District Immunization officer during COVID-19 by Chief Medical Officer is a million dollar question? Director Health Services has to answer this query as it’s a question of public interest. Was earning funds illegally the sole reason of sidelining District immunization officer by Chief Medical Officer Poonch? Is Director Health services also involved in this? Government needs to look into the matter as how few officials including CMO and Medical superintendent Raja Sukhdev Singh hospital for riches sake did all the blunders during COVID-19. A high level inquiry is needed against top Health department officials who reportedly misused COVID-19 funds by taking it as an opportunity to grab money by both hands, right from Directorate of Health services to district level. If investigated properly, COVID-19 is likely to be proved as a big scam of Health Department, in addition of several other earlier scams which are likely to be in several crores.