VADODARA: The district administration has launched an inquiry into the alleged irregularities that have come to light regarding beds meant for free treatment of Covid-19 patients at the Dhiraj Hospital in Pipariya near the city. The private hospital is affiliated to Sumandeep Vidyapith and has a medical college attached to it. At the peak of the ongoing pandemic, the administration that was looking to increase treatment facilities had managed free beds at several private hospitals attached to medical or AYUSH colleges, which included Dhiraj Hospital too. District development officer Kiran Jhaveri said that the hospital had been asked to prepare for a 1,000 facility, out of which 600 beds were ready including 500 with oxygen supply. Patients from other government hospitals as well as health centres in the rural areas of the district were being referred here. The hospital was to be paid money at government rates fixed last year depending on the type of beds. The hospitals also receive smaller amounts towards beds reserved by government that remain vacant. Jhaveri said that officials grew suspicious earlier this month when hospital employees started arguing and misbehaving with officials appointed to monitor and supervise work at the hospital. Also, it came to light that while only a small number of patients were being referred there, the hospital used to show that it was packed. Jhaveri said that it was decided to inspect the hospital on May 13. “It came to light that as per hospital records 329 patients were admitted on free beds earmarked for the government and 140 were admitted on paid beds. We found that there were only 246 patients in all being treated there,” said Jhaveri. Hospital officials argued with the officials and claimed that something was wrong. “We counted the patients again in their presence and found only 234 this time. Two patients had died in the intervening time and 10 were being discharged,” said Jhaveri. The records of the hospital were seized by the district administration. It is also verifying details for the month of April when the hospital had a smaller number of beds reserved for the government. The hospital has been asked to clarify on the issue. Jhaveri said that along with the number of patients, remdesivir injection supply and oxygen consumption are now being looked into. He added that initially they had believed that the hospital may be using free beds as paid beds for its patients. “But that was not the case, the beds were vacant,” Jhaveri said. The hospital, however, has not sought any money for treatment of Covid-19 patients so far. “They have not put up any bills and no payments have been made to the hospital,” the DDO said. Jhaveri, however, pointed out that showing beds filled on paper was itself not justified in the present conditions.