Foreign patients being duped by fake policemen: Gurugram police

The Gurugram Police is amplifying its efforts for the protection of foreign patients as more and more international patients and their families reportedly continue to be targeted by a gang of fake policemen.

The DCP (East) Virender Vij’s office held a special meeting on Tuesday in this regard and instructed the security management of prominent hospitals to increase their CCTV footage coverage, alongside providing pamphlets to protect international patients. Hospital authorities were also reportedly advised to caution foreign patients that their passports and visas need not be checked by police officers while arriving at the hospitals.

Reportedly present at the meeting were authorities from Medanta, Artemis, Fortis, Max, Narayana and Paras hospitals, alongside concerned police officers.

“The range of the CCTV cameras installed at the main gate of the hospital should be long and the number of cameras should be increased. Pamphlets of these guidelines should also be placed at the reception of the guest house where foreign citizens are staying,” DCP Vij reportedly stated while at the meeting.

Efforts to spread awareness among foreign patients were also taken in October of 2022, when a campaign for the same was run and instructions in English, Hindi and Arabic were issued.

“Whenever foreign patients are brought from the hospital by vehicle to their guest house and hotel, their attendants must take a photo of the number plate of the vehicle and keep a copy of the driving licence of the driver with them,” DCP Vij further stated at the meeting, adding that locker facilities should be available at the hospitals.

India, especially Gurugram, sees a large amount of footfall of medical tourists. Patients from countries like Algeria, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, and Oman often turn to  Gurugram for their medical needs.