Viral video alleging ₹300 ECG charges instead of the prescribed ₹68 triggers disciplinary action; administration warns department over supervisory lapses.
A junior doctor at SN Medical College, Agra, has been suspended for 15 days after a viral video allegedly showed patients being charged ₹300 for ECG tests inside a government hospital ward, despite the prescribed government fee being ₹68. Following an internal inquiry, the medical college administration also issued a warning to the concerned department, citing negligence in supervision.
The controversy surfaced after a video circulated on social media alleging that an individual posing as a private employee was collecting money from patients for ECG tests in the Orthopaedics Ward of the hospital’s New Surgery Building. The incident raised concerns over unauthorised persons operating within the government hospital and charging patients for diagnostic services.
Following the inquiry, the administration suspended the junior doctor for 15 days, during which the doctor will not be allowed to attend to patients. The Principal also directed the concerned department to strengthen monitoring and ensure that such incidents do not recur.
The administration clarified that the hospital has an adequate number of ECG machines and that patients are not required to pay any outside individual for ECG services. It urged patients and their attendants to immediately report anyone demanding money for ECGs or other investigations within the hospital premises instead of making any payment.
According to reports, the viral video alleged that an unidentified individual was charging ₹300 for ECG tests despite the government-approved fee being ₹68. When questioned, the person reportedly refused to disclose his identity. The incident also raised questions over the hospital’s security and surveillance system, with concerns about how an unauthorised individual managed to enter the ward and collect money from patients.
Earlier, the concerned department had stated that it was unable to identify the person seen in the viral video. However, after completing the inquiry, the medical college acknowledged lapses in supervision and initiated disciplinary action.
The Principal reiterated that SN Medical College is committed to providing transparent and quality healthcare services and said that any irregularity affecting patient care or hospital administration would be dealt with strictly in accordance with the rules.
