5 Hospitals De-Barred from PMJAY in Just One Week, 2 Doctors Suspended
Ahmedabad, Gujarat: In a major setback to the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) scheme, five private hospitals in Gujarat have been de-barred for irregularities, taking the total number of medical facilities suspended this year to 12. The health ministry on Monday announced the suspension, leaving many questioning the efficacy of the flagship health insurance program.
According to a release by the health department, two doctors working at these hospitals were also suspended from providing services under PMJAY. The financial loss caused by these irregularities is estimated to be around Rs 50 lakh, with one hospital fined for siphoning off government money through unnecessary angioplasty procedures.
The scams came to light after several patients died following unnecessary medical procedures performed by doctors working at the hospitals involved in the scam. An inspector's report revealed a shocking tale of corruption and mismanagement, which has left no stone unturned in exposing these private hospitals for their shoddy practices.
Heer Children Hospital and Niskha Children Hospital and Neonatal Care in Patan district were suspended along with Sonal Hospital in Dahod. Sentora Hospital in Ahmedabad was de-barred from providing services under PMJAY due to lack of proper facilities, insufficient staff, and expired medicines.
The irregularities uncovered during the inspection at these hospitals included altering lab reports to obtain undue benefits under PMJAY and applying for a higher insurance package when it wasn't required. In one case, 91 lab reports were altered to secure maximum benefits, while in another, 60 medical reports were changed.
Two doctors suspended from providing services under PMJAY include Divyesh Shah of Niskha Children Hospital in Patan district. Recovery notice for Rs 15 lakh has been issued to the hospital after discovering several irregularities.
This crackdown on private hospitals involved in cheating at the expense of PMJAY reflects increasing scrutiny on institutions receiving government funding. Will stricter regulations on the medical infrastructure help curb such corruption and ensure greater accountability?