LUCKNOW, March 21 -- A racket allegedly targeting patients at the Trauma and Lari Cardiology Centres of King George's Medical University (KGMU) here, and persuading their kin to shift them to private facilities, has come under scrutiny, with investigations revealing a nexus involving contractual ambulance drivers and hospital middlemen. As soon as information about such activities came to light, police were immediately informed. The subsequent police investigation revealed that the nexus had been active for around the past six months. Following the police investigation report, KGMU authorities on Thursday (March 19) terminated three contractual ambulance drivers posted at the Trauma Centre for their alleged role in the racket. Prof KK Singh, KGMU spokesperson, said brokers would first establish contact with ambulance drivers stationed at the medical university. These drivers were gradually drawn into the network through financial incentives, allegedly earning up to Rs.10,000 for each patient diverted to a private medical facility. The drivers and intermediaries identified vulnerable patients, particularly those in critical condition, and their attendants. They would then allegedly create a sense of urgency, citing delays in hospital procedures or unavailability of medicines. Attendants were persuaded to shift patients to private hospitals with assurances of faster and better treatment. To avoid detection, the network deployed motorcycles without number plates to ferry patients and their relatives out of the hospital premises, bypassing scrutiny at entry and exit points, Prof Singh said. Dr Prem Raj Singh, chief medical superintendent of KGMU Trauma Centre, said brokers often posed as part of the KGMU system, lending credibility to their claims while coordinating with select private hospitals to ensure smooth transfers of patients. The nexus came to light following internal complaints, viral videos, and CCTV footage indicating the involvement of ambulance staff in patient diversion. Inputs from police authorities were also factored into the inquiry, he said. Hospital officials said surveillance around ambulance movement is being intensified with stricter monitoring mechanisms being put in place at key hospital points to prevent unauthorised patient transfers. The medical university has a total of 22 ambulances. To operate them, there are 24 contractual and four permanent drivers. Further investigation is underway to establish the full extent of the nexus. The KGMU has around 4000 beds. The trauma centre has more than 450 beds and Lari cardiology has around 200 beds....