Sensing trouble, a lobby of private hospital empanelled by J&K State Health Agency. It its best to defame, administrative department as well as the authorities of SHA, but timely actions by the Health and Medical Education department, by constituting, enquiry committees, to look into the various irregularities, will certainly unearth a huge scam, which taking huge toll on state exchequer
Avinash Azad
The Jammu and Kashmir Government constituted a high-level four members committee headed Principal Government Medical College & its Associated Hospitals, Jammu to recommend inclusion or exclusion of empanelled hospitals, the J&K State Health Agency (JKSHA), to prevent alleged loot of state exchequer by the mafia of Doctors and private hospitals in JK UT.
“Constitution of a committee to review the list of existing hospitals empanelled under Rule 6-A of J&K Civil Services (Medical Attendance-cum-Allowance) Rules, 1990. Reference: e-office file No. FD-Code/4/2021-03-finance Department”, Govt order number 428-JK (HME) of 2023 Dated, 22/05/2023 reads.
“Sanction is hereby accorded to the constitution of a committee of following officers of Health and Medical Education Department to review the list of existing hospitals empanelled. The committee may recommend inclusion or exclusion of the empanelled hospitals with full justification.
Principal Government Medical College & its Associated Hospitals, Jammu, Convener of the committee, while Principal Government Medical College & Its Associated Hospitals, Srinagar, Director Health Services Kashmir Member, Chief Accounts Officer, Directorate of Health Services Jammu has been appointed members of the committee”, the order further reads and adds, “The Convener may co-opt any other officer to the committee from State Health Agency, J&K. The committee shall furnish its report and recommendations within 30 days from the date of the issuance of the order.”
Prior to constituting above mentioned committee, the government of on same had banned private practice of a senior doctor posted in GMC Hanwara and also sought report from Medical Superintendent GMC Handwara and constituted another committee enquire into the poor conversion of Urology IPD cases under AB PM-JAY & AB PM-JAY SEHAT at District Hospital, Handwara and GMC, Handwara. “Constitution of an Inquiry Committee to enquire into the poor conversion of Urology IPD cases under AB PM-JAY & AB PM-JAY SEHAT at District Hospital, Handwara (GMC, Handwara)”, govt order No.426 -JK(HME) of 2023 Dated 22/05/2023.
“Sanction is, hereby, accorded to the constitution of an Inquiry Committee comprising of Dr. Yashpal Sharma, Director Coordination, New GMCs, J&K as Chairman, Representative from DHS not below the rank of Deputy Director to be nominated by Director Health Services, Kashmir Member, Dr. Misbah Samad, Medical Officer, SHA, J&K Member Secretary, Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Medical Officer, SHA, J&K Member and Dr. Wasim Akram SAFO, SHA, J&K Member. The Committee
to enquire into the poor conversion of Urology IPD cases under AB PM-JAY & AB PM-JAY SEHAT at District Hospital, Handwara (GMC Handwara) including referral of patients from Public Hospitals to Private Hospitals for availing treatment/benefits under AB PM-JAY & AB PM JAY SEHAT Scheme by Dr. Muzaffar Bashir, (MS Surgery), Medical Officer, DH Handwara (GMC, Handwara) and suspicious CT reports signed by Dr. Tasaduq Khan at SDH Kupwara”, the order reads. “The committee shall submit its report with proper recommendations to the competent authority within a period of three months from the date of issuance of this order”, govt order further reads.
Meanwhile, referral of patients from Public Hospitals to Private Hospitals for availing treatment/benefits under AB PM-IAY and AB PM-JAY SEHAT Scheme-banning of private practice, Dr. Muzaffar Bashir (MS surgery), district hospital Handwara.
“Pending enquiry into the allegations, regarding the issue related to the referral of patients from Public Hospitals to Private Hospitals for availing treatment /benefits under AB PM-JAY & AB PM-IAY SEHAT Scheme, It is hereby ordered that Dr. Muzaffar Bashir, (MS Surgery), Medical Officer. District Hospital Handwara is banned from doing any private practice across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, with immediate effect. Further, concerned Medical Superintendent, DH Handwara (GMC, Handwara) shall explain poor conversion of Urology IPD cases (1 case in PSS) under AB PM-JAY & AB PM-JAY SEHAT and submit report/reply to the Director Coordination, New Government Medical College (Chairman of the Inquiry Committee)”, Govt order No.427-JK(HME) of 2023 Dated 22/05/2023.
According to sources in J&KSHA, 9717471 beneficiaries have availed benefits from 277 empaneled hospitals in JK UT and around 84 claims have been settled.
However, it has been also learnt that some hospitals, despite not being eligible also managed to get empanelment, and these hospitals may be excluded from empanelled hospital’s list. “The nexus between some doctors in posted in government hospitals and private hospitals’ managements, have been looting state exchequer. Some doctors force patients to avail health benefits from private hospitals, in exchange of huge commission”, sources said, adding that above mentioned inquires, unearth a huge scam.
