The Gujarat Health department is facing flak following the scams under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). The responsibility for preventing irregularities under PM-JAY lies entirely with the State Anti-Fraud Unit (SAFU). Had the SAFU been vigilant, the scam could have been avoided. Questions have been raised regarding the widespread irregularities in private corporate hospitals as well as the lack of vigilance by the anti-fraud officials.

Why were routine checks not conducted to prevent irregularities in hospitals under PM-JAY?

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report has stated that many hospitals in Gujarat claimed money from the Health department by falsely claiming patients under the PM-JAY scheme. It was also found that the same patient was admitted to multiple hospitals. Such irregularities were noted by the CAG, but the SAFU  in Gujarat took no action. Was the patient treated properly under the PM-JAY scheme? Were there any instances of malpractice by the hospitals? The SAFU is responsible for investigating these matters.

There are reports of malpractice in a prominent hospital, where stents were unknowingly inserted into many patients. 

It is unacceptable that the SAFU remained unaware of such widespread malpractice. Had the anti-fraud officials conducted regular inspections at hospitals, it is likely that the exploitation of poor patients could have been stopped. Consequently, the functioning of the Anti-Fraud Unit has come under scrutiny.

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