To address the concerns recently voiced by students regarding the institute hospital and pharmacy, Watch Out! spoke with Prof. Ankik Kumar Giri, Chairman of the Hospital Advisory Committee. The transcript of our conversation is provided below:
(Note: Hereafter, ‘pharmacy’ refers to the one outside the hospital entrance.)

Q1: Who is in charge of running the institute’s pharmacy right now? Does the institute itself directly operate these pharmacy services?

A: The pharmacy is currently managed by a company called Health Hub, which is selected by the tender process for these services. The institute does not directly operate the pharmacy. However, a doctor from the institute, Dr. Vibhu Sharma, the officer in charge, is part of the advisory committee and helps check the quality of the medicines kept at the medical center.

Q2: Do students get medicines at a discounted price? If so, how?

A: Students can receive a discount of 27% on certain medicines at the pharmacy counter. All other medicines, including over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, are sold at the regular price (MRP).
There are plans to put up a notice which would allow students to understand which medicines are discounted and which are not. This will help students see their options and make informed decisions.
Pharmacists have been instructed to ask for the enrollment number/employee id to tell if the buyer is a student/employee or someone from outside the campus. This means students do not have to ask for the discount themselves; it is given automatically when they share their enrollment number. In case the pharmacists fail to ask for ID, one can remind them and avail a discount.

Q3: How does the institute keep track of what students buy from the medical center, especially to prevent students from misusing certain medicines?

A: The pharmacy only sells a limited range of medicines, and some medicines are given only if the student has a prescription, just like regular pharmacies outside campus. The institute does not keep records of what students buy from the pharmacy.

Any queries regarding the hospital can be raised through the feedback portal on the hospital website.

Q4: Standing Order 1-12.4 states:
“No private doctor should be consulted by a student on his/her own initiative. If there is a genuine need for consulting an outside doctor, the matter should be reported to the Warden / Chief Warden who will take further action in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of the Institute and the Dean of Students’ Welfare.”
Why does this rule exist? Why can’t students choose to visit a private doctor whenever they want?

A: This rule is mainly for the safety and well-being of students. If a student visits a private doctor or has a medical procedure outside the institute and something goes wrong, or if the student is not treated properly, the institute needs to be aware so it can respond quickly in an emergency. By keeping the institute informed, students can get help faster if any problems arise.
Another important reason for this rule is to prevent misuse of medical certificates. There have been cases where students have submitted fake or questionable medical certificates from outside doctors to get special permissions, like asking for a re-exam or an extension. By requiring students to go through the institute’s process, it becomes easier to check the authenticity of medical documents and maintain fairness for everyone.
Overall, the rule is meant to protect students in emergencies and to make sure that all medical documents are real and used properly.

Q5: Standing Order 1-12.5 states:
“Students are entitled to medical facilities to the extent available in the Institute Hospital. The Institute will make no reimbursement of the medical expenses to the students for any treatment taken outside the Institute Hospital without the recommendation of the Institute Medical Officer (IMO).”
To clarify, does this mean that if a student seeks a second opinion from an outside doctor, even with a referral from an institute doctor (but not the IMO), the cost would not be reimbursable?

A: The reimbursement process takes place under the DoSW. The amount to be reimbursed, if any, is in accordance with the policies of the insurance company.

Q6: If a student wants a second opinion from a specialist outside the institute, or feels that the diagnosis by the institute’s doctors is not correct, what procedure is to be followed?

A: If a student wants to see a specialist or get a second opinion from a doctor outside the institute, they should first visit the campus hospital and ask for a referral. The doctors at the hospital do not refuse to give referrals to outside doctors if needed. If a student ever faces any difficulty in getting a referral, they should contact the Hospital Office for help.
If a student feels unsatisfied with a diagnosis, they may also request a re-examination within the institute itself before opting for an external consultation.
To make things easier for students, the institute is also working on bringing more outside specialists and super specialists to the campus. This way, students may not need to go outside for specialist consultations in the future.

Q7: Some students have reported that the emergency ward at the hospital does not have enough facilities. What services are actually available in the emergency ward, and what rights should a student know they have when using it?

A: When you go to the emergency ward, ensure that there is at least one doctor, one staff nurse, one attendant, and one pharmacist present. If you need help, ask for the doctor right away.
If you feel you are not being treated properly in the emergency ward, first note down the doctor’s details. Next, ask the doctor to call a senior doctor or the Chief Medical Officer to address your concern. If you are still not satisfied or believe there was mishandling, report the issue to the chairman with all the information you have gathered.