Angul: Acting on media reports alleging some staff nurses at the Pabitra Mohan Pradhan Medical College & Hospital (PMP MCH), Talcher, secured their jobs using fake credentials, the Angul district administration has asked Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) to investigate the matter.

In a letter to the Chairman-cum-Managing Director of MCL, Angul District Collector Abdaal M. Akhtar referred to a report published in the ‘Sambad’ daily, which claimed certain nurses engaged at PMP MCH had submitted forged educational and professional certificates to obtain employment.

The nurses were hired through an outsourcing agency designated by PMP MCH. They were earlier deployed at PMPGH, Talcher, and later deputed to the medical college hospital.

Highlighting the seriousness of the allegations, the Collector noted the deployment of unqualified nursing staff, if proven true, could pose a significant risk to patient safety.

Akhtar has directed MCL to immediately initiate a thorough inquiry and carry out a re-verification of the credentials of the concerned staff. He also instructed the company to take appropriate disciplinary and legal action against the outsourcing agency if the allegations are substantiated.

The Collector further asked MCL to submit its inquiry report at the earliest and emphasised only duly qualified and verified personnel should be allowed to continue providing services in hospitals.