Chitwan, June 12

BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital of Bharatpur has witnessed increase in income of late following the local police administration’s drive against middlemen, who were soliciting patients to visit other private hospitals and clinics for ‘better and more reliable service’.

The administration had started its campaign against the middlemen, who thrive on the commission they receive from private health facilities, about 25 days ago.

As per the drive, police held as many as 15 agents on May 19. Most of the arrested are involved in hotel business, medical shops, etc.

SP Basanta Bahadur Kunwar of district police office said five hospital staff members were also held.

“A day after one dozen-plus persons were held, we held five hospital staff. They were found working as secret agents for private health facilities outside, hotels and the likes, which was very unethical,” he informed, adding, “As most hospital doctors and staff here have investments and are involved in working for private hospitals, medical shops and others outside, the culture of playing agent is persistent here.”

Meanwhile, the police administration’s operation has pegged the hospital income now. The hospital revenue department Chief Shiva Poudel said the hospital has witnessed an increase of 25 per cent in its monthly income lately.

“Earlier, we would collect around 275,000 rupees in revenue in a month, but following the police campaign against middlemen, the hospital’s revenue has crossed 350,000 rupees per month,” he said.

“Earlier many doctors here would visit private hospitals secretly during their working hours, but now that trend has almost stopped.

Middlemen who would compete to grab patients and convince them to go for treatment outside have all but vanished now,” locals said.