Odisha suspends ten hospitals over irregularities in Ayushman Bharat

Bhubaneswar: Following allegations of violations and irregular practices, the Odisha government have suspended ten private hospitals from the empanelled list of Ayushman Bharat–Gopabandhu Jana Arogya Yojana (AB–GJAY). Additionally, a hospital in Ganjam district has been penalised for submitting duplicate claims under the scheme. 

According to the news reports, speaking in the Assembly on Monday, Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling stated that the decision came after reviewing 56 complaints filed against various healthcare facilities. Show-cause notices were issued to the hospitals concerned, and subsequent investigations led to the suspension of 10 facilities and a financial penalty against one hospital. 

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Mahaling said the govt is closely monitoring hospitals and healthcare providers under the scheme to ensure beneficiaries receive the promised standard of high-quality, cashless treatment, reports TOI.

The de-rostered hospitals are located across several districts, including three in Cuttack, two each in Ganjam and Khordha, and one each in Kendrapada, Bhadrak, and Bolangir. Violations cited include non-compliance with scheme guidelines, absence of proper clinical registration, treatment-related negligence, and other irregularities. In one reported case, patient death was linked to substandard care.

Separately, a hospital in Ganjam was found to have submitted duplicate claims under AB–GJAY. A penalty of Rs 58,500 was imposed and has since been recovered.

Mahaling said the government is maintaining strict oversight of hospitals empanelled under the scheme to ensure beneficiaries receive quality, cashless treatment as promised. He added that complaints against healthcare providers are being actively reviewed, and strict action, including suspension, will be taken against any institution found violating norms, reports Odisha TV.

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The AB–GJAY scheme aims to provide free healthcare services to eligible beneficiaries across the state. Officials reiterated that transparency and accountability remain top priorities to safeguard public interest and maintain trust in the programme.