UP Government Orders High-Level Probe into Alleged Medicine Procurement Irregularities at KGMU Lucknow
The Uttar Pradesh government has initiated a high-level investigation into allegations of irregularities in medicine procurement, reimbursement claims, and administrative functioning at King George’s Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow.
The move comes amid growing concerns over potential financial discrepancies and the alleged misuse of government-funded healthcare resources within one of the state’s premier medical institutions.
In an official order issued on Saturday, the state government constituted a three-member committee to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the matter.
The decision was taken following directions from Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who also oversees the Health and Family Welfare Department.
The government has directed the panel to submit its findings within two working days, underscoring the seriousness with which the allegations are being treated.
The investigation committee will be headed by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Medical Education Department.
Other members include the Director General and Secretary of Medical Education, as well as the Special Secretary of the Medical and Health Department.
The committee has been tasked with examining all aspects of the alleged irregularities, identifying accountability, and recommending corrective measures if any violations are established.
The inquiry was triggered after KGMU authorities noticed an unusual and significant increase in reimbursement claims submitted under a government healthcare scheme.
Under the programme, eligible patients receive medicines and treatment from designated hospitals, while the state government later reimburses the expenditure incurred by those institutions.
The sudden spike in claims raised concerns among administrators and prompted a closer examination of transaction records and patient data.
According to KGMU spokesperson and chairman of the university’s internal inquiry committee, Prof. K.K. Singh, the sharp rise in monthly reimbursement requests appeared inconsistent with normal trends.
As a result, university authorities initiated an internal review to verify whether all claims were genuine and properly documented.
During the preliminary investigation, officials reportedly discovered indications that patient information stored in the hospital’s digital management system may have been improperly accessed and potentially misused.
According to Prof. Singh, individuals with authorised access to the software system appear to have extracted patient details, raising concerns about possible manipulation of records linked to medicine distribution and reimbursement processes.
He further explained that the inquiry committee identified several procedural weaknesses in the mechanism governing the approval, issuance, and distribution of medicines under the government scheme.
These vulnerabilities, officials believe, may have created opportunities for misuse and irregular transactions.
The seriousness of the findings was reflected in a communication dated June 2, sent by KGMU’s Proctor Office to the Station House Officer (SHO) of Chowk Police Station.
The letter referred to observations made by an inquiry committee constituted by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Soniya Nityanand, which reportedly found prima facie evidence suggesting possible misappropriation of medicines, financial irregularities, and potential losses to the government exchequer.
Based on these preliminary findings, the committee recommended the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) and called for a detailed criminal investigation to determine the extent of the alleged wrongdoing and identify those responsible.
Administrative action has already been initiated against several employees in connection with the matter.
Three contractual staff members — Prakash Singh from the Urology Department, Hemant Srivastava associated with the LP Counter IPD, and Sachin Tiwari from Urology — have been removed from service pending further investigation.
In addition, a permanent employee, Arshad Wasi, who was serving as a pharmacist at the LP Counter IPD, has been placed under suspension.
Officials stated that these actions were taken based on the preliminary findings of the internal inquiry and may be reviewed as the investigation progresses.
The alleged irregularities have also prompted KGMU authorities to widen the scope of their review beyond the initially identified areas.
Several departments where high-value medicines are routinely administered are now undergoing detailed audits to determine whether similar discrepancies may exist elsewhere in the institution.
Particular attention is being focused on departments involved in cancer treatment, including Medical Oncology, Radiotherapy, Oncosurgery, and other specialised units where expensive chemotherapy medications are prescribed and distributed.
Officials believe these departments require scrutiny due to the significant financial transactions associated with patient care and medicine procurement.
The ongoing audit aims to verify prescription records, medicine distribution logs, reimbursement claims, inventory management systems, and digital data access trails.
Investigators are seeking to establish whether the alleged misuse was limited to a few individuals or reflects broader systemic weaknesses within the institution’s administrative framework.
Healthcare experts note that government-funded reimbursement schemes are designed to ensure that patients receive critical treatment without financial hardship.
Any misuse of such programmes not only impacts public finances but can also undermine trust in healthcare institutions and affect the availability of resources for genuine beneficiaries.
As the state-appointed committee begins its work, both government officials and KGMU administrators are expected to closely monitor the findings.
The investigation is likely to play a crucial role in determining the extent of the alleged irregularities, fixing responsibility, and recommending reforms to strengthen transparency and accountability in medicine procurement and healthcare administration.
With the inquiry now underway and disciplinary action already initiated against several employees, the case has drawn significant attention within medical and administrative circles.
The final report is expected to provide greater clarity on the allegations and help shape future safeguards aimed at preventing similar incidents in the state’s healthcare system.
