Year: 1991.
Place: Office of the Disability board, at a government run hospital near second stop, 1250 quarters, Bhopal.
Purpose of visit: To obtain a disability certificate for a patient.
I had accompanied a person with disability to this hospital. We wanted a certificate for which this was the scheduled day. Once a month or so this board used to meet.
The concerned patient was examined by an Orthopedician and we were sent to an adjacent office.
That's where we were asked to pay ....
There was a nominal charge for the procedure. We tendered the amount but the extra money was not returned to us, instead we were asked for a "handsome amount" as official fee. We asked for a receipt. We were denied as that happened to be a Saturday and the receipt book was in a locked cupboard, which could only be opened on Monday, when another clerk would be on duty!
So far, I had not revealed my identity as medical resident at a hospital associated to the medical college in Bhopal.
I decided to meet the Ophthalmologist, a lady called Dr. Bakshi who eventually helped us.
After resolving the matter for us she took us to a senior doctor and said, "Sir, all this needs to be curbed, else everyone who comes here would feel we have a share in the transaction". She urged a serious response and she looked sincere.
I don't know how many patients would be going there without a resident from a medical college.
Most would pay! Some would bargain - and settle for a smaller amount! Others would use a contact who would make a call!
Not many tend to fight for hundred rupees in India! Most have an opportunity to siphon off thousands from other places!!
But as a practicing ophthalmologist, I know many of my visually challenged patients do not earn enough and certainly have no potential to siphon off money from elsewhere.
Can't the corrupt system be a bit lenient to people with difficulties?
That's a point to ponder.
Let's try to bell the cat!
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