PMCH Pays NMC Fine of ₹4L for Deficiencies

The state-run Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH) has used its "extra-curricular activity fund," meant essentially for college and student welfare, to pay the National Medical Commission (NMC) ₹4 lakh penalty for the deficiencies it had pointed out at the medical college last year, to retain its MBBS seats, after the state health department did not respond to the principal's intimation about the penalty, said officials familiar with the matter on Thursday.

- Ruchir Kumar

PATNA:

Pratyaya Amrit, Bihar's development commissioner and additional chief secretary (health), had earlier last year sternly told the principals and superintendents of government-run medical colleges and hospitals, including the PMCH, that doctors of the institution concerned will bear from their salary the cost of penalty imposed by the NMC.

He said this in respect of the poor Aadhaar-enabled biometric attendance system (AEBAS) of doctors, which the NMC has been insisting upon.

Faced with the piquant situation, the PMCH, however, found an escape route, without pinching the purse of the doctors.