Bribery bogs distribution at Petla Burj hospital

Charminar: Corruption is ruling the roost in Petla Burj Maternity Hospital in distribution of KCR Kits even as the Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao inaugurated a hospital in his constituency on Wednesday.

KCR Kit Scheme:

• KCR kits distribution scheme was in June 2017 at Petlaburj, Old City.
• The scheme focuses on welfare of women and newborns and offers financial assistance to poor pregnant women in the State.
• Rs 2000 worth kit consist of soaps for mother and child, baby oil, a cradle, mosquito net, dresses, sarees, handbag, towels, napkins, powder, diapers, shampoo and toys for the child.
• The women would receive the first installment of Rs 3000 for nutrition, after receiving the mother-child protection card and a minimum of two tests.
• The second installment of Rs 5000 for girl child and Rs 4000 for baby boy along with the KCR Kit will be paid after the delivery.
• The third and fourth installment of Rs 2000 and Rs 3000 will be paid at the vaccination stages of the child.

Interestingly, the scheme was actually launched by the CM at Petla Burj Hospital few months ago. Staff distributing the KCR Kits in the hospital has been allegedly asking a bribe of Rs 100 to Rs 150 for each kit from the kin of the patients.

KCR kits are given to the women who deliver at any government hospital in the state free of cost. The kit comprises of basic needs necessary for mother and new born child.

Chandrashekhar from Mahboobnagar whose wife recently gave birth to a baby in the hospital, said that staff was asking money for giving away KCR Kits. He said that other staff members including security guards also seek money for every single work in the hospital.

“We are poor people and cannot afford corporate treatment and we prefer government hospitals but staff here is not cooperative and asking money for all the free services in hospital”, he lamented.

Every day about 30 to 35 women deliver in the Petlaburj hospital and some staffers have been minting huge money by charging from every patient daily. Moreover, when some people complained about the harassment by the staff, they start behaving rudely to them.

Salma Khatoon from Bahadurpura also complained that some nurses and staff were frequently asking for money besides inevitable payment for getting KCR Kits.She said that her daughter admitted in the hospital and delivered a baby four days ago and kit was handed over to her only after taking Rs 150.