Reflecting the sorry state of healthcare in two government hospitals here in Uttar Pradesh, ward boys, pharmacists and sweepers have been found administering injections and stitching wounds of patients.

An undertrained pharmacist and a sweeper were shown by TV channels administering injections and stitching wounds in the emergency ward of the district hospital in Ballia.

Sweeper Raj Kumar claimed he administers injections and stitches according to instructions of doctors.

Expressing surprise, CMO Dr A K Pandey told PTI that how can a sweeper perform medical tasks when there are enough doctors in the emergency ward of the hospital.

District Magistrate Prakash Chandra Srivastava said a probe would be ordered.

In Bulandshahr, video showed a class IV employee of the district hospital carrying out stitches on the wounds of an injured child and another one giving an injection to a patient.

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government has ordered an inquiry into the Bulandshahr incident.

The probe would be carried out by an officer of the rank of additional director, official sources said.

Laxity will not be tolerated and stern action will be taken against errant staff, Health Minister Ahmad Hasan said.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has instructed Additional Director Health of Meerut division V K Sami to conduct an inquiry into reports that class IV staff was conducting surgical procedures at a hospital in Bulandshahr.

Yadav directed the health official to complete the inquiry within 24 hours and initiate the required steps against those found guilty.

There is a shortage of doctors and pharmacists in the state, he said.

But under any circumstances a class IV employee cannot be permitted to administer injection and stitch wounds, he added.