A doctor’s driver allegedly examined patients and wrote prescriptions at a government hospital in Kanpur while the assigned doctor was away attending a court hearing, prompting health authorities to order a detailed inquiry.
Viral video brings incident to light
The incident reportedly took place at Kanshiram Hospital near Rama Devi Chauraha. A video that surfaced on social media appeared to show a man sitting inside an OPD room, speaking to patients and writing prescriptions.
Hospital authorities identified the man as Dev, the driver of Emergency Medical Officer Ramkesh. Hospital staff said the doctor was attending a court hearing when the alleged incident occurred.
The video has raised questions about how an unauthorised person was able to access the OPD and attend to patients in a government healthcare facility.
Three-member panel to investigate
Chief Medical Officer Haridatt Nemi said a three-member committee headed by Chief Medical Superintendent Piyush Mishra had been constituted to investigate the matter. The panel will examine whether the driver actually examined patients, prescribed medicines and whether similar incidents had occurred previously.
Authorities are also checking how many patients may have been attended to and how the driver gained access to the consultation area. The driver has reportedly been removed from the hospital.
Hospital authorities have sought an explanation from the doctor, while a written complaint has also been submitted to Chakeri police station. Officials said the inquiry would examine the video and other evidence before responsibility is fixed.
The case has renewed concerns over patient safety, supervision and access controls at government hospitals.