Delhi LG Recommends CBI Probe into Alleged Fraud at Mohalla Clinics

Lt Governor V K Saxena has recommended a CBI probe into alleged fake lab tests and ghost patients at Delhi’s mohalla clinics, as per officials from Raj Niwas on Thursday.

This development follows Saxena’s recent order for a CBI investigation into the purported supply of drugs to Delhi government hospitals that failed “quality standard tests.”

Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj stated that the AAP government had de-empanelled several doctors and staff at mohalla clinics last year due to malpractices. He also demanded the dismissal of the health secretary.

Officials revealed that serious fraudulent practices were discovered in lab tests conducted under the names of patients visiting Delhi government hospitals and mohalla clinics. Payments for these tests were being made to private labs, indicating a potential scam running into hundreds of crores. Saxena issued these directions in December 2022 while approving the extension of lab testing services to private parties for patients at mohalla clinics and Delhi government hospitals.

An investigation by the Delhi government’s vigilance and health departments scrutinized the outsourcing of lab investigations to private diagnostic companies. In August of the previous year, unethical practices, such as fraudulent attendance marked through pre-recorded videos, were uncovered in seven mohalla clinics. Action was taken against the staff involved, and FIRs were lodged.

A subsequent review of sample lab testing data from July to September 2023 revealed the use of fake or non-existent mobile numbers for patient registration and lab tests. Duplicated mobile numbers and records of different patients sharing the same mobile number, such as “9999999999,” were also identified in the inquiry report. The data indicated the occurrence of fake lab tests in these mohalla clinics.