X-rays for Sale? 8 Doctors including 2 Radiologists Under Scanner in Rs 90 crore Silicosis scam
Silicosis Scam Unveiled in Rajasthan
Jaisalmer: A major scam has been unveiled in Rajasthan, where doctors were found to be involved in helping individuals pretending to be suffering from silicosis get financial assistance from the government. Taking cognisance of the matter, the Health Department has already recommended to ACB to take action against 6 doctors, 6 radiographers and 2 radiologists in Dausa district.
According to the Dainik Bhaskar report, the amount of the fraud is estimated to be around Rs 90 crore, out of which 436 ineligible persons were granted a total of Rs 13.08 crore, whereas the payment of Rs 77 crore 67 lakh has been stopped towards 2589 individuals.
After investigating more than seven thousand cases, a team from SMS Hospital found out that 2589 cases of silicosis were fake, and in these case,s healthy people posed as silicosis patients by taking X-rays of patients undergoing treatment with the help of doctors.
Reportedly, using the same X-ray, the doctor and the radiologist together issued certificates to hundreds of such patients, who used those reports to get Rs 3 lakh financial assistance each under the Government Scheme.
As per the latest media report by Dainik Bhaskar, among the 2589 fake silicosis cases, 1740 cases were from Dausa district alone. Based on the report, the Health Department recently wrote to the ACB to take action against the then 6 doctors, 6 radiographers and 2 radiologists of Dausa.
Similar fraud was also unveiled in Pali, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Karauli. In those cases, legal action is being taken.
The Rajasthan Government introduced the scheme for silicosis patients back in the year 2022. Under this scheme, the patients get three lakh rupees on confirmation of silicosis disease. Further, the patients get a pension of Rs 1500 per month and on the death of the patient, the family of the patient is given Rs 2 lakh.
However, after a few months of the scheme getting launched, the number of applicants suddenly increased in the districts and consequently, the Department of Special Persons wrote to the Health Department for investigation. Among the 16 districts, irregularities were found in 5 districts.
No irregularities have been found so far in Sawai Madhopur, Sirohi, Sikar, Nagaur, Kota and Tonk. However, 436 ineligible persons in Dausa, Pali, Jodhpur, Karauli and Jaisalmer were granted a total of Rs 13.08 crores. The payment of Rs 77 crore 67 lakhs has been stopped towards 2589 individuals.
Altogether 1740 out of 2464 cases in Dausa were found to be wrong. Among these 413 persons had taken payment. In the cases of Karauli, 291 out of 1969 cases were fake (no payment made), in Jodhpur, 531 out of 2329 cases were fake (18 were paid), in Pali, 21 out of 288 cases were found to be fake (5 have been paid), and in Jaisalmer, 6 out of 32 cases were found to be fake (payment has not been made).
Doctors' Teams that Issued Fake Certificates:
As per the Dainik Bhaskar report, one of the teams of doctors that issued such fake certificates included Dr. Meena from Salavad, Nadauti, Karauli; radiographer Shankar Lal Meena from Bhandarej; and Radiologist Ghanshyam Meena from Bhilapada. Reportedly, 52 such certificates were given, and 18 were found to be fake.
Another such team included Dr. Mukesh Sirova from Manota Kalan, Radiographer Manohar Lal Yadav from Alwar, and Radiologist Ghanshyam Meena from Bhilapada. Among the certificates given to 64 patients by this team, 10 were found as fake.
The team, including Dr. Prem Meena from Malviya Nagar, Radiographer Ketan from Bandikui and Radiologist Ghanshyam from Bholapada, issued certificates to 444 patients. However, 346 among them were found to be fake.
727 out of 1016 reports issued by a team were found to be fake. This team included Dr. Manoj Ucchwal from Dausa, Radiographer Sandeep Sharma from Devatwal Colony Bandikui and Radiologist Ghanshyam Meena from Bhilapada.
The same X-ray reports were given to 41 patients by the team, including Dr. Dinesh Kumar from District Hospital Mahwa. Several reports of radiologist Suresh Chand Saini and radiographer Lokendra Singh Gurjar were questioned.
More than half of the certificates issued by the team comprising Dr. Devinarayan Sharma from Jaipur, Radiographer Manohar Lal Yadav from Khora Laxman Garh Alwar and Radiologist Ghanshyam Meena were found to be fake. This team reportedly declared 884 people as Sycosis patients from 9 October 2014 to 2024. Out of these, the medical reports of 542 patients were fake.
Reacting to the incident, a doctor, a medical college faculty by profession, shared on X, "Silicosis scam by radiologists and radiographers A shocking scam has been uncovered in Dausa, Rajasthan, where healthy individuals were falsely shown as suffering from silicosis to claim ₹3 lakh from the government under the Rajasthan Pneumoconiosis Policy. Most of the “patients” were declared to have silicosis using the same X-ray image for multiple individuals. A team at SMS Hospital discovered that out of 7,000 cases, 2,589 were fake. According to the government policy, a person diagnosed with silicosis is entitled to financial assistance of ₹3 lakh. Some doctors, radiologists, and radiographers allegedly colluded to scam the government of ₹13 crore. An investigation is currently underway by a team from the ACB. I hope the culprits face appropriate punishment."
Also Read: Rajasthan launches policy to provide assistance to silicosis patients
