Kolkata3 hours agoAuthor: Tirthankar Das
Bhaskar English sting has brought to light the alleged operation of a “bed mafia” within the premises of SSKM Hospital in Kolkata, with alleged middlemen claiming they can arrange hospital admission for patients in exchange for money even when the Emergency department says no beds are available.
Investigation reveals alleged network inside hospital
The investigation was carried out after allegations surfaced that patients’ families approaching the state-run hospital for emergency treatment are sometimes approached by intermediaries who claim to have access to beds and admission arrangements. Despite previous administrative and police action against such practices, the alleged network appears to remain active around the hospital premises.
People are standing opposite the Nursing College, where touts operate.
Agent allegedly provides contact for admission
As part of the investigation, Bhaskar English reporter, approached people allegedly operating as middlemen, posing as a patient’s relative. After initially being asked to wait, the reporter was provided with a contact number and subsequently spoke to an alleged agent over the phone.
During the conversation, the reporter described the case of a critically ill stroke patient requiring urgent hospital treatment. Details of the patient’s condition were discussed with the alleged agent, who reportedly questioned why the family had not contacted him before bringing the patient to the hospital.
The tout, after realising that he might be on camera, asked the reporter to stand aside.
Middleman allegedly demands ₹20,000 for admission
The reporter then informed the alleged agent that the patient was still at home and was in a critical condition. Despite being told that the hospital had no available beds, the alleged agent reportedly claimed that he could arrange admission. The alleged price quoted for the arrangement was ₹20,000.
Emergency department reportedly says beds unavailable
The conversation raises a serious question: how can an intermediary allegedly promise admission in a government hospital when the hospital’s Emergency department maintains that beds are unavailable?
The alleged demand also points to a potentially organised system in which vulnerable families seeking urgent medical care could be targeted at a time when they are under extreme pressure. For families dealing with critically ill patients, the promise of immediate admission can become a powerful bargaining tool.
Sting raises questions over hospital access
The investigation further raises questions about the functioning of surveillance and access-control mechanisms around one of West Bengal’s most important government hospitals. If intermediaries are able to approach patients’ families and allegedly negotiate admission arrangements openly, it warrants scrutiny into whether hospital staff, security personnel or other individuals have any role in facilitating such activities.
The alleged tout who demanded ₹20,000 to arrange admission at SSKM Hospital.
Vulnerable families allegedly targeted for admission
However, the alleged agent’s claims could not independently establish that hospital officials were involved in the purported arrangement. The investigation only establishes what was allegedly offered by the intermediary during the sting operation.
Health Minister promises action against bed mafia
West Bengal Health Minister Shadrawat Mukhopadhyay, responding to the allegations, said the government would look into the matter and take action against illegal “bed mafias” operating at SSKM Hospital and other state-run general hospitals.
“We will look into the matter and action will be taken against all illegal bed mafias operating in SSKM and other state general hospitals,” the minister said.
Sting highlights concerns over emergency healthcare
For patients’ families arriving at a government hospital with critically ill relatives, the issue goes beyond money. It concerns access to emergency healthcare at a moment when every minute can matter. The Bhaskar sting therefore raises a larger question for the health administration: if a person outside the official hospital system can allegedly promise a bed for ₹20,000 when the Emergency department says none is available, who is enabling that promise, and how is such a network continuing to function inside or around the hospital premises?
