Gujarat govt tightens PM-JAY implementation; mandates tumor board certificate for cancer patients

Ahmedabad: In the aftermath of the deaths of two patients at Khyati Hospital, the Gujarat government has introduced measures to strengthen the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). Among the key changes, patients with certain cancers will soon be required to obtain a tumor board certificate, with a dedicated portal set to launch for this purpose, according to health department officials.

Hospitals seeking empanelment under PM-JAY must now register under the Clinical Establishment (Registration and Regulation) Act. These announcements followed a stakeholder meeting in Gandhinagar chaired by Health Minister Rushikesh Patel. Experts from government and private sectors collaborated to draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for cardiology, oncology, and neonatal care, ensuring transparency and minimizing malpractice.

A State Anti-Fraud Unit (SAFU) will also be established at district and state levels to monitor empanelled hospitals. Patel emphasized the importance of displaying treatment package details in hospitals to ensure transparency for patients’ families.

The revised SOPs will allow the empanelment of only those hospitals equipped with both cardiology and cardiovascular surgery facilities. Hospitals must provide recordings of angiography or angioplasty to the patient’s relatives and the PM-JAY system. For cancer care, only centers with approved equipment and protocols will be included, with certain treatment packages set to be revised.

Additionally, CCTV installation in NICUs will become mandatory, and new neonatal care guidelines are expected next week, officials stated. DeshGujarat