A surprise inspection at the Indpur Block Primary Health Centre in Bankura has brought alleged expired medicines, insect-infested cooking spices, inadequate infection-control arrangements and a shortage of beds to the attention of district authorities, prompting a demand for disciplinary action against the facility’s block health officer.
Chhatna MLA Satyanarayan Mukhopadhyay inspected the health centre on Tuesday afternoon along with the Block Development Officer. According to the report, the inspection found that a substantial quantity of medicines stored at the facility had passed their expiry dates. The MLA also alleged that insects were present in the spices being used to prepare food for patients.
The health centre serves not only Indpur block but also residents from neighbouring Taldangra and Chhatna blocks, parts of Bankura-I block and sections of Khatra block. Local residents have previously raised complaints about alleged irregularities at the facility, but the report said the situation had not improved.
During the inspection of the wards, the MLA alleged that several patients suffering from dengue or malaria were being kept without mosquito nets. Some patients were reportedly lying on the floor because beds were unavailable. The inspection also raised concerns about the absence of separate arrangements for patients with infectious diseases.
The MLA further said that conversations with some temporary workers had brought alleged financial irregularities involving different hospital funds to light. He reprimanded hospital employees and officials and informed the Bankura district magistrate and the district’s chief medical officer about the complaints.
Mukhopadhyay demanded the suspension and strict punishment of the block health officer responsible for the facility. He also said he would approach the state health minister and the chief minister over the matter. The MLA warned that if patients fell ill or died after consuming food prepared with contaminated spices or receiving expired medicines, responsibility would lie with the state government.
The block health officer had not issued a response at the time of the report. Sajal Biswas, deputy chief medical officer of health for Bankura health district, acknowledged that the facility faced shortages of beds and other infrastructure. He said the centre did not have adequate infrastructure to keep patients with infectious diseases separately.
Biswas said the other complaints would be examined and that necessary steps would be taken after the inquiry. The health administration’s response leaves the inspection findings on medicines, food preparation and financial management subject to formal verification and any subsequent administrative action.
