Gandhinagar: The state health department has announced that it will conduct unannounced inspections at all private hospitals registered under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) scheme. These checks will focus on verifying medical procedures, documentation and patient care protocols.
The decision comes after unnecessary angioplasty procedures performed on seven patients at Khyati Multispecialty Hospital resulted in two deaths. Subsequently, FIRs were lodged against the visiting cardiologist, directors, chairman and the CEO of the hospital.
"In the wake of the Khyati hospital incident, it has been decided that the health department officials will conduct surprise checks regularly at PM-JAY empanelled hospitals," sources in the state govt said.
The officials said the health department will establish a dedicated monitoring committee to oversee these inspections. The committee will review surgery proposals, track patient outcomes and investigate complaints. They will maintain a database of all the procedures performed under PM-JAY at each hospital.
Medical facilities found violating protocols or conducting unnecessary procedures will face severe penalties, including immediate suspension from the scheme. The govt has also announced stricter accountability measures for hospital administrators and doctors, sources said.
To protect patient interests, the health department will set up a grievance redressal system. Patients can report concerns about treatment quality or suspicious practices. The department will also create awareness programmes to educate beneficiaries about their rights under PM-JAY.
"These measures aim to prevent misuse of the scheme and ensure delivery of quality healthcare. The state govt has emphasised that, while most healthcare providers maintain high standards, strict action will be taken against those compromising patient safety for financial gain," officials said.
The new guidelines being implemented by the state govt mandate thorough pre-surgery verification processes. Hospitals must submit detailed reports justifying the need for each planned surgery, complete with diagnostic test results and specialist opinions. Emergency procedures will be exempt from this requirement to ensure timely medical intervention.
Training sessions will be conducted for hospital staff regarding PM-JAY guidelines and ethical medical practices. Regular audits of hospital records and treatment outcomes will help maintain transparency in the system.