RGHS Irregularities: 34 hospitals, 431 pharma stores suspended, Rs 36 crore recovered

Jaipur: Altogether 34 private hospitals and 431 approved pharma stores have been suspended over the last three months by the Rajasthan Health Department for their alleged irregularities under the Rajasthan Government Health Scheme (RGHS).

Along with this, the department has also suspended 28 government employees and registered 17 FIRs for alleged misuse of the scheme.

The action was taken after these entities were found prima facie guilty following a special audit and intensive investigation. The probe was initiated based on multiple complaints that the department received about hospitals, medical stores and government employees engaging in fraudulent practices that harmed the scheme's functioning.

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According to Principal Secretary (Health) Gayatri Rathore, the 34 private hospitals were suspended for activities such as raising double claims for single surgery, conducting unnecessary tests and charging for higher-rate test packages even when cheaper options were available. So far, penalties worth Rs 36 crore have been recovered from these hospitals.

Similarly, 431 pharma stores were suspended for issuing fake bills and misusing RGHS benefits through coordination between pharmacists, doctors and beneficiaries. The department has recovered Rs 4.6 crore in penalties from these stores.

More than 1,000 RGHS beneficiary cards used for fraudulent claims have also been blocked, and 28 employees involved in misuse have been suspended, as reported by TOI.

To prevent such violations in future, the government has now set up an Anti-Fraud Cell, and a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will also be released soon.

According to the report, the RGHS office increased surveillance in recent months to protect the treasury and ensure the smooth functioning of the scheme. During this period, cases surfaced of private hospitals, approved pharma stores and even beneficiaries availing benefits through improper and rule-violating methods, causing substantial financial losses.

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