GGH duty doctor is accused of stealing 22 lakh rupees from a black fungus patient

The patient’s husband is planning to file a police report, and a departmental investigation is underway.

In the guise of providing ‘Lyophilized Amphotericin B,’ a duty doctor at the Government General Hospital in Vijayawada allegedly duped a black fungus patient’s husband out of Rs 22 lakh.

Pottem Vijayalakshmi of Kadapa was admitted to GGH on May 29 and treated for black fungus until June 17, when her condition deteriorated and she moved out. On July 7, she passed away. The incident was recently brought to light after the patient’s husband, Pottem Raghukulesa Saran, a retired government junior lecturer, filed a complaint with the GGH superintendent regarding all bank deposit transactions to the doctor’s account.

Mr. Raghukulesa alleged that during the treatment in GGH a total of ₹22.8 lakh was paid to duty doctor Thota Vani Supriya who promised them of supply of the anti-fungal injection at ₹70,000 to ₹1 lakh each which was allegedly not available in the hospital. The patient’s son P. Anil also sent money via online transfer to the doctor, they allege.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Raghukulesa said that they would soon lodge a police complaint against the duty doctor. “We are still bereaving her (wife) death and certain formalities and rituals are being done. I will complain to the police in Vijayawada in a day or two. I was told by officials that the duty doctor was suspended,” he said.

Mr. Raghukulesa said that instead of accepting her wrongdoing the duty doctor levelled allegations against our bereaved family. “We received legal notices from the duty doctor two weeks ago with false allegations. Police inquiry would reveal all the facts. We have all the proofs of conversation with the doctor,” he said. Mr. Raghukulesa’s son

Meanwhile, Health Department and district officials are conducting an inquiry into the issue. Dr. Vani was not available for comment.