Ahmedabad: Khyati Hospital, based in the city, has been de-barred from the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), meaning it will no longer be able to provide treatments under this scheme. This decision follows the death of two patients after angioplasty was allegedly performed without necessity or proper authorization.

Briefing the media about this, Dhananjaya Dwivedi, Principal Secretary of the Health Department, expressed grief over the incident at Khyati Hospital in Ahmedabad and stated that the government has taken serious note of the matter. The entire incident was discussed in detail during a review meeting held today in Gandhinagar under the chairmanship of Health Minister Rishikesh Patel.

Providing the details, Dwivedi added that on November 12, the Health Department constituted an inquiry committee comprising cardiologists from UN Mehta Hospital, experts from Sola Civil Hospital, and SAFU (State Anti-Fraud Unit) under the PMJAY scheme. After visiting Khyati Hospital, the committee submitted a report to the Health Department regarding the deficiencies found. The report revealed that, at the initial stage, 19 people were brought to the Ahmedabad-based hospital for surgery after a health camp was conducted at Balisna village in Kadi taluka, Mehsana district, by the Khyati Hospital team. Of these 19 patients, 7 underwent angioplasty, and 2 tragically died.

The committee found evidence of criminal acts and medical negligence in this incident. To address this malpractice, Khyati Hospital has been permanently blacklisted as per the PMJAY scheme guidelines. Furthermore, the doctor linked to Khyati Hospital in this incident will not be able to work in any other hospital in the state.

It was also announced that if the hospital owner, trustee, or others are associated with any other hospitals, the PMJAY accreditation of those hospitals will also be verified, and action will be taken against them.

A police complaint will be filed by the government against the hospital owner and the empanelled doctor under Sections 100, 105, 336, and 61 of the Indian Penal Code (BNS), among others.

The Gujarat Medical Council will be instructed to take necessary action against the doctor involved in the incident, and cardiology cases previously conducted at the hospital will also be verified.

Dwivedi further stated that, following the Minister’s instructions, it has been decided to prepare an SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) to strengthen the administration of the five main emergency surgeries under the PMJAY scheme.

According to the new SOP, recognition for the Cardiology Package will be given only if the PMJAY-empanelled hospital has both Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery specialties (unless primary angioplasty is required in the case of a heart attack). A full-time cardiologist will be required to work under the cardiology specialty, with 2 years of post-DM/MCh experience mandatory. Additionally, a cardiac operating theatre (OT) will be required, in addition to a cath lab, for the cardiology package. Visiting cardiologists or cardiovascular surgeons will not be recognized under PMJAY.

Furthermore, specific provisions for ‘Informed Consent’ will be introduced for certain procedures under the Clinical Establishment Act. An additional super specialist will also be engaged to monitor high-volume claims under the PMJAY high-package schemes.

Information about the new SOP will be disseminated by the Health Department shortly. SOPs for other emergency procedures will also be prepared and presented.

Regarding the work of SAFU (State Anti-Fraud Unit) under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), Dwivedi mentioned that 95 hospitals were visited over the past year, resulting in the suspension of five hospitals and the imposition of penalties exceeding Rs. 20 crores. Furthermore, Rs. 44 lakh was returned to 1,024 beneficiaries. DeshGujarat