7 doctors suspended over RGHS irregularities, FIRs ordered against hospital, diagnositic centre

Jaipur: Nearly seven government doctors have been suspended by the Rajasthan Health department for alleged irregularities under the Rajasthan Government Health Scheme (RGHS).

In a major crackdown, the state government also initiated steps to register FIRs against a private hospital and a diagnostic centre for reportedly misusing the scheme.

Sharing details, Principal Secretary (Health) Gayatri Rathore said the action followed an audit conducted in Sikar district, where several irregularities were detected. Based on the findings, seven doctors have been placed under suspension.

The suspended doctors include 2 associate professors in the orthopaedics department, and 1 associate professor in the general medicine department at Sikar Medical College, along with a doctor of CHC Kirwa, 4 doctors of SK Hospital.

Also read- 8 hospitals de-empanelled from RGHS over alleged irregularities

Speaking to TOI, Secretary Rathore said the state is taking continuous measures to ensure the smooth operation of RGHS.

Apart from departmental action, FIRs are being registered against a Nursing Home in Bharatpur and a Diagnostic and Imaging Centre in Bikaner. "Letters have been sent to the chief medical and health officers of the concerned districts regarding the action," said Rathore.

According to the probe report, 1 doctor allegedly displayed an RGHS board at the hospital even though it was not approved under the scheme at that time.

RGHS Chief Executive Officer Harjilal Atal said the investigation found that a Pharmacy and the Nursing Home allegedly caused financial loss to the state exchequer through collusion and fraudulent practices.

According to the probe report, the Nursing Home allegedly displayed an RGHS board at the hospital even though it was not approved under the scheme at that time and attracted beneficiaries.

The report stated that RGHS cardholders were treated at the hospital, their SSO ID passwords were taken to generate TIDs, and after treatment, tests and medicines were allegedly adjusted on the RGHS portal through the Pharmacy to obtain payments.

The report also stated that fake bills were prepared in the names of beneficiaries to obtain reimbursements. The hospital has already been de-empanelled from RGHS, and FIR action is being pursued.

In another case, scrutiny of claims submitted by the Diagnostic and Imaging Centre in Bikaner revealed that some patients were allegedly prescribed more tests than medically required. Some patients' records displayed tests like HbA1c, RA Factor, and Procalcitonin without clear medical justification. In some cases, HbA1c reports for T2DM were not available, and related consultations were not mentioned on OPD slips.

Due to the serious nature of the case, senior doctors at a Government Hospital, Bikaner, verified the documents and found out that several prescriptions bearing doctors' names and seals had signatures and handwriting that did not belong to them.

Some doctors said they were on leave or not in OPD on the relevant dates, yet prescriptions and tests were shown in their names. The investigation also found instances where doctors named on prescriptions were not posted at the Hospital at the time, or their registrations were from a later date.

Also read- Rajasthan CM orders strict action against misuse of Govt health scheme