‘No Outside Prescriptions Without Reason’: Haryana Health Minister pulls up doctors during surprise
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, March 11, 2026: Aarti Singh Rao on Wednesday conducted a surprise inspection of the Civil Hospital Panchkula and issued strict directions to officials, warning that prescribing medicines from outside without valid justification will not be tolerated.
During the visit, the minister inspected several sections of the hospital including the emergency ward, labour room, NICU, OPD, ICU as well as ENT and Orthopaedic departments. She interacted with patients and their attendants to seek feedback on treatment, availability of medicines and other facilities. Most patients expressed satisfaction with the services and behaviour of doctors and nursing staff.
The Health Minister also reviewed the functioning of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana centre operating in the hospital and directed officials to verify whether medicines were available according to requirements.
However, Rao expressed displeasure over the sanitation and security arrangements in the hospital. She observed that despite the deployment of around 16 to 17 sanitation workers, there was no clear record of their duties or work locations. Taking serious note of the issue, she instructed officials to streamline the system immediately and said the government is considering introducing a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for sanitation management to improve cleanliness standards.
Emphasising that hygiene in hospitals must remain a top priority, she also directed the Civil Surgeon to ensure proper maintenance of the hospital’s air-conditioning system, especially with the approaching summer season, so that patients travelling from distant areas do not face inconvenience.
The minister also reviewed security arrangements in the women’s ward and instructed hospital authorities to deploy additional security personnel wherever necessary to ensure the safety of female patients.
During the inspection of the newborn ward, she appreciated the efforts of doctors and nursing staff for maintaining good care of infants admitted there.
The Health Minister also took immediate cognisance of complaints from patients regarding medicines being prescribed from outside the hospital. She summoned three doctors and instructed the hospital administration to ensure that medicines available within the hospital are provided to patients directly.
Referring to complaints about water leakage from ceilings in some wards, Rao said she would request Ranbir Singh Gangwa to ensure that repair work is carried out at the earliest. She also directed officials to expedite the start of services in the new hospital building.
Rao said that under the leadership of Nayab Singh Saini, the state government is focusing on improving cleanliness, strengthening healthcare services and ensuring the safety of women in government hospitals.
Later speaking to the media, the minister said that doctors and healthcare staff have a moral responsibility to treat patients with honesty and dedication, adding that any negligence in patient care would not be tolerated.
Senior officials including Dr. Manish Bansal and Dr. Mukta Kumar were present during the inspection along with other doctors and hospital staff.