Assam Rising, Duliajan, August 12: Questions have been raised over patient registration and payment procedures at Oil India Hospital, Duliajan, following allegations that an additional payment was sought from the family of a two-year-old child during an emergency visit.
The issue came to light through a social media post by Duliajan resident Pushpak Bhuyan, who raised allegations concerning the collection of money by a doctor while the child was receiving treatment.
According to Bhuyan’s post, the child was brought to the Emergency Department on Tuesday night with a high fever. The post alleged that Dr Deepjyoti Das, identified as a Superintending Medical Officer and the doctor on emergency duty, sought an additional ₹200 from the child’s guardian.
It further alleged that instead of directing the family to make the payment through an authorised hospital channel, a Google Pay QR code linked to the doctor’s wife was provided for the transaction. The family allegedly made the payment through the QR code during the emergency.
The allegations have raised questions over whether such personal collection of money from patients is permitted under hospital rules and whether all payments are required to be made through officially designated channels.
Bhuyan also alleged that similar complaints concerning the doctor had surfaced previously. However, these claims have not been independently verified.
The allegations have prompted calls for the Oil India Hospital administration and Oil India Limited authorities to examine the matter, verify the circumstances surrounding the payment and clarify the rules governing patient registration and emergency treatment.
The incident has also highlighted concerns over transparency in hospital fee collection, particularly during emergencies involving children and other vulnerable patients.
The hospital administration and the concerned doctor are yet to publicly clarify their positions on the allegations. Any official inquiry or response would help establish the facts.
