The health department has finally begun probing the irregularities at the Masrakh primary health centre where students of Gandaman Primary School were first taken for treatment on July 16.

Nine days have passed since the tragedy claimed lives of 23 children.

On Thursday, Saran regional deputy director B.K. Upadhyaya visited the health centre for investigation.

“What I have also found in course of my investigation is that both the contract doctors don’t treat outpatient department patients on a regular basis. They treated them only six of 25 days in July. The medical officer-in-charge of the centre handled the outpatient department patients single-handedly most days. Even on July 16, both doctors were not present. The medical officer-in-charge called them up citing emergency. I am going to mention all these facts in my report, which I would submit to Vyasji, principal secretary, health, in a day or two,” said Upadhyaya.

In its July 20 edition, The Telegraph had highlighted the fact that the two contract doctors at the Masrakh primary health centre were absent when ailing students were rushed for treatment.

Upadhyaya said villagers had informed him that the contract doctors ran a private clinic. “But I have to find that out,” he said.

On whether any action would be taken against the duo, Upadhyaya said he only conducted the probe on behalf of the health department, which would decide on the action.

“I would send the report to the principal secretary, he would decide the course of action. Usually when some doctor is absent without prior information, we cut his/her day’s salary but as this case is very serious, the department might take some disciplinary action.”

The investigation also revealed that the primary health centre referred the poisoning cases to Chhapra Sadar hospital because of lack of paramedics and antidotes.

“I found that the Masrakh heath centre only provides first aid treatment to patients who have consumed poison and they refer them to Sadar hospital because of lack of facilities like paramedics and antidotes. I would also mention this in my report,” he said.