Morena (Madhya Pradesh): A racket was unintentionally exposed when a video captured two women fighting with slippers at Morena District Hospital over getting a higher commission on Saturday.
These women are agents, who instill fear in pregnant women and their families by claiming government hospital facilities are unsafe.
A bystander recorded the entire incident on video.
Watch the video below :
One of the women was identified as an ASHA worker. Despite attempts by onlookers to separate them, the argument continued.
The fight revealed an illegal practice where pregnant women were being lured to private hospitals for money.
Muraina District Hospital has been dealing with agents who convince pregnant women to seek treatment at private hospitals, claiming better facilities and safety.
These agents, including some ASHA workers, receive a hefty commission from private hospital management for every patient they bring in.
Following the fight, Civil Surgeon Gajendra Singh Tomar tried to catch some of the women involved, but they managed to escape.
A similar incident had occurred earlier when former Civil Surgeon Vinod Gupta caught and recorded such agents before handing them over to the police. However, the illegal practice continues.
Some hospital staff members are also suspected of being involved, receiving a share of the commission.
For every case they divert, they earn a 5-10% commission from private hospitals.