Pune: Dr. Eknath Pawar, the newly appointed Dean of B.J. Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital, has issued a strict directive that doctors should prescribe only those medicines available within the hospital and not ask patients to purchase them from outside. This move aims to support the primarily poor patients who frequent Sassoon Hospital.
Dr. Pawar, who also heads the Orthopedics Department at J.J. Medical College in Mumbai, assumed his additional role as Dean of Sassoon Hospital on Friday.
In his first council meeting, he addressed the ongoing issue of patients being asked to buy medicines from external sources. He emphasized that doctors must adhere to the hospital’s policy of providing free medicines to patients and avoid recommending outside purchases.
Recent reports highlighted instances where doctors at Sassoon Hospital instructed patients to procure medicines from outside, despite the hospital's policy to supply them for free. Dr. Pawar's intervention aims to curb this practice and ensure compliance with hospital regulations.
Speaking to mediapersons, Dr. Pawar expressed his commitment to reviving the esteemed reputation of Sassoon Hospital, which has been affected by recent controversies. As an alumnus, he feels a personal connection to the institution and is dedicated to enhancing patient care. His primary focus will be on ensuring that patients receive appropriate and timely medical treatment, thereby restoring the hospital's former glory.
Last month, two Sassoon doctors were arrested for allegedly tampering with blood samples in the Kalyani Nagar accident case involving a minor. Allegations were made against the Sassoon hospital doctors who were asking patients to purchase medicines from medicals outside the hospital.
Sassoon Hospital is now emphasizing on transparency and discipline at every level. Dr. Pawar’s proactive approach and directives are expected to bring much-needed reforms to Sassoon Hospital. The effectiveness of these reforms, however, will depend on their implementation.