Gandhinagar: The state government on Monday informed the legislative assembly that 49 hospitals empanelled under the Government of India’s Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) were suspended over the past two years due to various irregularities.

Out of these, the suspension of 20 hospitals has been revoked, while 29 remain barred from admitting patients under the scheme.

Responding to a question during the ongoing budget session, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Praful Pansheriya said strict measures are being taken against hospitals found violating the scheme’s guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Chavda had sought details regarding alleged irregularities at JCCC Hospital in Jamnagar under PM-JAY. In his reply, Pansheriya stated that the hospital was fined ₹8.69 lakh for misuse of government funds under the scheme.

He further informed the House that a doctor at the hospital, Dr Parth Vora, was suspended from carrying out surgeries under PM-JAY, and his case was referred to the Gujarat Medical Council.

Additionally, the hospital was suspended from the cardiology and cardiovascular thoracic surgery categories of the scheme for breaching empanelment norms.

According to reports, grounds for suspension included inflated billing, charging patients extra for procedures, failing to meet prescribed infrastructure standards, admitting patients under ineligible conditions, and other fraudulent practices. DeshGujarat