Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik Wednesday directed for tough action against middlemen operating in hospitals of the State.

Patnaik, while talking to Chief District Medical Officers(CDMOs) on Mo Sarkar through video conferencing, directed the police superintendent to make hospitals free of middlemen.

“I also know that in some places middlemen interfere in the provision of health services”, he said asserting that tough action would be taken against them.

Stating that Mo Sarkar initiative of his government would be launched from Ocotber 2, next, he said, “I will be personally talking at random to patients who have availed our services.” Based on the feedback, “Immediate follow up action would be taken”.

Patnaik said the people are the real owners of the health facilities of the State, and “It is important that we take feedback on how they feel about our services”.

Walking down the memory lane, Patnaik said he had been to Kashipur in 2001 when the tragic mango kernel incident took place.

“I visited Kashipur in those days and saw amidst all the gloom and tragedy, a bright spot in the form of local doctor . People had so much respect and faith in him- He was the one people listen to-more than administration and the police.”

“Throughout the years, I have come across so many such doctors who are role models for selfless public service. We need more such role models throughout the State.”

Praising the doctors role, he said “We have had a number of successes- we had the sharpest fall in IMR among the States and the world recognised our effort on malaria.”