Gujarat Congress MLAs on Monday staged a symbolic enactment to highlight corruption in the state’s healthcare system and have demanded a fair probe into alleged corruption in the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) involving Khyati Multi-Speciality Hospital.
During a protest in the Gujarat Assembly, they criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government, accusing it of allowing a fraudulent network to siphon off funds and exploit vulnerable patients.
Leader of Opposition Amit Chavda claimed that commissions took precedence over human lives and called for the case to be tried in a fast-track court.
“A scandal in a scheme under the Prime Minister’s name has tarnished Gujarat’s reputation nationwide,” he alleged.
He further accused the government of prioritising commissions over patient welfare, alleging that patients from rural areas were brought to hospitals under fraudulent schemes, issued fake reports, and subjected to unnecessary procedures.
The Khyati Hospital scandal involved PM-JAY beneficiaries from Mehsana district, who died after undergoing angioplasty at the hospital. Following the incident, the medical registration of two doctors was suspended, and the hospital’s absconding owner, Karthik Patel, was arrested at the Ahmedabad airport.
Health Minister Rushikesh Patel responded by asserting that strict action had been taken against those responsible.
“The government will never tolerate misconduct with patients or hospital irregularities. All accused have been arrested, and charge sheets have been filed on time. A supplementary charge sheet against Karthik Patel will be submitted soon,” he stated.
Patel confirmed that this was the first case in Gujarat where a doctor had been charged with culpable homicide under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). He described the incident as ‘inhumane’ and assured that the government had filed complaints against doctors and hospital administrators involved in unethical practices. The accused were charged with culpable homicide, forgery, and fraud.
Before the Khyati Hospital case, 52 hospitals and three doctors were suspended for irregularities under the PMJAY-MA scheme. After the incident, an additional 22 hospitals and six doctors were suspended, bringing the total to 74 hospitals and nine doctors.
A cumulative penalty of Rs 19.9 crore was imposed. Patel detailed, “Since the Khyati Hospital incident, 22 hospitals have been suspended, leading to a penalty of Rs 3.13 crore. Before the incident, 52 hospitals had been suspended, with fines amounting to Rs 16.77 crore.”
The hospital was permanently de-empanelled from the scheme, and Dr Prashant Vazirani was permanently barred. Additionally, the Gujarat Medical Council revoked the medical licences of Dr Prashant Vazirani and Dr Sanjay Patolia for three years. A Rs 3.17 crore payment to Khyati Hospital was stopped.
To prevent future incidents, the government has introduced several measures, including mandatory video consent for procedures like angiography and the presence of a government representative at medical camps.
The State Anti-Fraud Unit (SAFU) has been strengthened, with 43 teams from government medical colleges monitoring healthcare activities. Hospitals are now required to undergo monthly audits, with at least two visits by Chief District Health Officer (CDHO) and Medical Officer of Health (MOH) officers.
In December last year, new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were introduced for cardiology, oncology, neonatal care, and knee/hip replacements.
Congress leaders continue to press for a CBI probe, arguing that the alleged fraud has tarnished Gujarat’s reputation.
Gujarat Congress President Shaktisinh Gohil had raised the issue in Parliament, saying, “The hospital organised free medical camps in villages to attract poor patients under the guise of providing medical care. The patients were then subjected to unnecessary procedures, with the hospital claiming reimbursements under the PMJAY scheme.”
He demanded that the Centre intervene to uncover the full extent of the scam and hold the guilty accountable.
Also Read: ‘A Proud Moment’: Shaktisinh Gohil on AICC Session in Ahmedabad
