Rajkot: The Gujarat Medical Council (GMC) has suspended the license of Dr. Hiren Natwarlal Masharu of Nihit Babycare Children Hospital and Physiotherapy Centre for one year. The Rajkot-based doctor faced accusations of making false claims under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) scheme.

“The Executive Committee of the GMC conducted an inquiry and unanimously concluded that the allegations against Dr. Masharu were credible,” stated the GMC notice. The Council determined that Dr. Masharu “kept newborn patients hospitalized longer to exploit the PMJAY benefits and manipulated pathological test reports, submitting them to the PMJAY portal to receive claims. This constitutes serious misconduct.”

The notice indicated that Dr. Masharu’s registration has been removed from the GMC’s Medical Practitioners Register for one year. The GMC General Body approved this decision unanimously on October 4, and his name will remain removed from December 21, 2024, to December 20, 2025. As a result of this decision, Dr. Hiren will have to wrap up the hospital business in 60 days and submit his degree to the GMC by December 21st, which will be returned only at the end of the suspension period. During the time of suspension, Dr. Hiren will also not be allowed to use the title “Dr.” ahead of his name.

Earlier in this case, the Nihit Baby Care Hospital was suspended from the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) scheme and fined ₹6,54,79,500. DeshGujarat