PMJAY Irregularities: 2 private hospitals suspended, show-cause notices to 2 others

Vadodara: Citing serious irregularities and violations of safety guidelines that endangered the lives of patients and newborns, the Gujarat Health and Family Welfare Department has suspended Deep Children Hospital and Neonatal Care in Godhra and Kashima Hospital in Bharuch. Both hospitals were empanelled under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).

Along with the suspension, the government also issued show-cause notices to Maa Children and General Hospital in Kalol (Panchmahal) and Maa Children and Neonatal Care in Devgadh Baria (Dahod) for failing to display mandatory information kiosks for PM-JAY beneficiaries.

According to officials, the Godhra and Bharuch hospitals will remain suspended until they meet the required standards. Meanwhile, the Kalol and Devgadh Baria hospitals have been asked to comply with the notices, but can continue treating patients under PM-JAY for now.

Also read- 21 Gujarat Hospitals Suspended from PMJAY over violations

This comes after the state health department conducted raids last week and uncovered shocking discrepancies. During the raid, the inspectors found the four hospitals to be operating without proper PICU (Paediatric ICU) and NICU (Neonatal ICU) facilities, had no MBBS doctors, kept expired medicines, employed unqualified nursing staff, and lacked infection control measures, building-use permission, and fire safety NOC.

At Maa Children and Neonatal Care Hospital in Devgadh Baria, inspectors found expired medicines in the NICU, and the hospital refused to share CCTV footage. Meanwhile, Maa Children and General Hospital in Kalol was found to be operating without a BU permission and a fire NOC.

Health minister Praful Pansheriya told TOI, "No irregularities or negligence will be tolerated in the PMJAY-MA scheme for the poor and needy citizens."

The government began strict inspections of private hospitals empanelled under PM-JAY following the Khyati Hospital incident.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that last year in November, two patients, who attended a free medical camp organised by Khyati Hospital under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), passed away due to postoperative complications following Angioplasty procedures.

This incident caused widespread outrage as an angioplasty was performed at the hospital on 19 patients, and two of them died, while 5 others were kept on a ventilator. These 19 people were brought to Khyati Hospital by ambulance for treatment after they attended the free health checkup camp in Borisna village of Kadi taluka on November 10. Around 80 to 90 people were examined at the camp.

Also read- No relief for Cardiologist: Supreme Court denies bail in PMJAY Botched Angioplasty Case