Cuttack: The growing menace of middlemen (dalals) operating in major government healthcare institutions in the State has once again come under the spotlight after police in Cuttack arrested three for allegedly cheating patients and their attendants at SCB Medical College and Hospital by falsely promising to procure scarce blood units in exchange for money.
According to police, the accused — Shiva Mohanty of Bari, Abinash Rout of Kendrapara, and Dhaneswar Mohanty of Jagatsinghpur — were part of an organised network targeting vulnerable families visiting the hospital in urgent need of blood units. They allegedly approached attendants, assured them of arranging blood quickly, and then extracted money on false promises.
Police said such middlemen often exploit panic situations in busy government hospitals, where patients’ families struggle to arrange critical medical support, including blood units. In several instances, these agents are also suspected of persuading patients to shift from government facilities to private nursing homes under the pretext of better treatment, raising concerns about a broader, coordinated racket.
The case came to light after a complaint was filed by Bibekananda Behera from Balikuda, who alleged that he was duped by the accused while trying to arrange blood. Acting on the complaint, Mangalabag Police Station registered a case, launched a probe, and subsequently apprehended the three individuals. They have been forwarded to court.
Police officials indicated that further investigation is underway to determine whether more individuals are involved in the network and to uncover possible links with private healthcare operators.
The incident has once again highlighted the persistent challenge of unauthorised intermediaries operating within and around public healthcare institutions, despite repeated crackdowns by authorities.
