15 Gujarat Hospitals Suspended under PMJAY over Irregularities
Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)
Ahmedabad: In a bid to address irregularities within the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), the Health Department has suspended 15 hospitals from the scheme following a detailed investigation by the State Anti-Fraud Unit. The inquiry revealed several violations, including inadequate medical facilities and fraudulent claims.
The scrutiny intensified after irregularities were first detected at Khyati Hospital in Ahmedabad, leading to a broader investigation that exposed similar issues across several hospitals.
Investigators found that many of these hospitals failed to meet the required PMJAY standards, with some lacking essential ICU equipment and others manipulating maternity treatment rates and insurance claims. The list of suspended hospitals includes gynaecology centres, paediatric hospitals, and multi-specialty clinics spread across various districts, including Bhavnagar, Amreli, Rajkot, Mehsana, and Tapi.
Since the scheme was launched 5 years ago, the SHA (State Health Agency) has been manually managing the PM-JAY operations and monitoring over 36 crore Ayushman cards and as many as nearly 7 crore hospital admissions. But after the recent deaths of two patients at Khyati Multi Specialty Hospital, a thorough investigation was launched. The licenses of 12 doctors named in these fraudulent activities were cancelled by the Gujarat Medical Council.
Despite the crackdown, a Class One Government Medical Officer implicated in the Khyati Hospital scam remains unsuspended. He was arrested after a police investigation revealed that he had approved PMJAY cards for ineligible patients in exchange for monetary benefits. While action has been taken against hospitals involved in fraudulent activities, the health department has yet to announce any disciplinary measures against the said doctor, reports Ahmedabad Mirror.
The recently suspended hospitals under the PMJAY scheme include Ved Hospital in Kheda, RN Wala Smarak Trust Hospital in Gir Somnath, Modi Children Hospital in Kakrapar, Modi Children Hospital in Tapi, Olympus Hospital under Tanna Health Care in Rajkot, and Anahat Heart Institute & Specialty Hospital in Mehsana, all of which offer multi-specialty services.
Several other hospitals that have well-known gynaecology departments are also suspended, including Chitra Medical Center in Bhavnagar, Ghanchi Arogya Mandal in Aravalli, Parivar General Hospital in Bhavnagar, Sabiha Sarvajanik Hospital in Botad, Sad Vichar Jan Hospital Nursing Home in Bhavnagar, Pulse Plus Multi Hospital (Somnath Health Care Group) in Bhavnagar, Navjivan Hospital in Amreli, and Kalrav Hospital in Amreli. Additionally, Shifa Multispeciality Hospital in Ahmedabad, which specializes in pediatric medical management and neonatal care, has also been among those suspended, reports the Daily.
