2 hospitals suspended, 2 fined in a week in Gujarat for PMJAY scheme irregularities

Gandhinagar: The Gujarat government today announced that it has suspended two hospitals and penalised two others for irregularities under the Prime Minister Jan Aarogya-Ma Yojana.

The State Anti-Fraud Unit (SAFU) under the Prime Minister Jan Aarogya-Ma Yojana, along with a team of expert doctors, visited suspicious hospitals involved in malpractice under the scheme. Last week, irregularities were found in four hospitals across various districts of the state. Krishna Surgical Hospital and Swastik Multi-Speciality Hospital in Rajkot were suspended due to various deficiencies, while Jayaben Modi Hospital in Bharuch and Bankers Super Speciality Hospital in Vadodara were penalised for irregularities.

At Rajkot’s Swastik Multi-Speciality Hospital, an insurance audit revealed tampering with 196 cases, including ultrasound plates and histopathological examination reports, leading to the hospital’s suspension from the scheme. The hospital management has been informed that appropriate action will be taken if any other hospital run by them is found operating under similar circumstances. A penalty of ₹2,94,90,000 has been imposed as per the scheme’s guidelines. Specialist Dr. Rajesh Kandoriya (G-23640), associated with these deficiencies, has been removed from the scheme.

Krishna Surgical Hospital in Rajkot was found to have expired B.U. certificates, a missing fire NOC, and a lack of the required manpower and cleanliness in the ICU. Discrepancies in OT and anaesthesia notes were also found. As a result, Krishna Surgical Hospital in Upleta has been suspended until these deficiencies are rectified.

At Jayaben Modi Hospital in Bharuch, irregularities were found in the Tumour Board Certificate (TBC), with unauthorised signatures and seals uploaded into the TMS software. Consequently, ₹33,44,031 will be recovered as pre-authorisation charges, and a decision regarding the penalty will be made in the upcoming SGRC (State Grievance Redressal Committee) meeting.

At Bankers Super Speciality Hospital in Vadodara, violations of the guidelines for oncology surgery under the Ayushman Yojana were noted. Pre-authorisation charges of ₹57,51,689 will be recovered, and the penalty decision will be made in the forthcoming SGRC meeting.

Due to recent incidents of malpractice under the Prime Minister Jan Aarogya-Ma Yojana, the state government has prepared new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, radiotherapy, and neonatal care, which are expected to be announced tomorrow.

Since the launch of the scheme, the state government has been committed to providing free treatment to poor and middle-class patients under this scheme. The government remains determined to take strict action against any hospitals or doctors involved in inhuman practices under the guise of the scheme. DeshGujarat