WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: The State Health Agency (SHA) under Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) has suspended the empanelment of two private hospitals in Srinagar for violating the guidelines issued by the National Health Agency (NHA).
The empanelment of Florence Hospital and Shifa Hospital has been suspended for six months. Both hospitals have also been fined. Florence Hospital has been imposed a fine of Rs 2.97 Lakh rupees and Shifa Hospital Rs 26 lakh.
The State Health Agency issued two separate notifications in this regard.
SHA J&K received a number of grievances/complaints against Empaneled Health Care Provider Florence Hospital, Srinagar, for violating the guidelines issued by the National Health Authority, New Delhi.
On the basis of numerous grievances/complaints registered against the hospital, a team of officers/officials conducted a surprise visit to the hospital on 23/11/2024. During the interaction with the beneficiaries/patients, it was observed that the hospital flagrantly violated the guidelines of the scheme, including coercing the patients to incur out-of-pocket expenditures and denial of treatment.
A show-cause notice was served upon the hospital on 18/12/2024 to explain their stand with regard to cases highlighted during the surprise visit.
The hospital did not reply to the said show-cause notice within the mandated five working days. The hospital’s reply was received on 25/12/2024. Despite a lapse of five working days, the reply was duly considered on merit, and the justification provided by the hospital was found to be non-satisfactory.
The case of the hospital, along with all the relevant documents, was placed before the State Empanelment Committee during its meeting on 26/12/2024 for deliberation/decision.
It was decided by the State Empanelment Committee that the hospital be immediately suspended for a period of 6 months and impose a penalty of Rs 2,97,000/- on the hospital as per Hospital Empanelment Guidelines. However, in the interest of dialysis patients, the hospital may continue providing dialysis treatment to the existing patients under AB PM-JAY/AB PM-JAY SEHAT.”
Florence Hospital, Srinagar, is hereby suspended for a period of 6 months from the date of issuance of this order. However, in the interest of dialysis patients, the hospital shall continue to provide treatment to the existing dialysis patients under AB PM-JAY/AB PM-JAY SEHAT, it reads.
Also, a penalty to the tune of Rs 2,97,000/- (Two Lakh Ninety-Seven Thousand) is imposed on the hospital for the illegal payments collected from the aggrieved beneficiaries. The said penalty amount shall be deposited by the hospital within 5 working days. In case the hospital fails to deposit the penalty/fine amount within the stipulated time, the same shall be adjusted with the pending payment to the EHCP without any further notice.
Another notification reads J&K received a number of grievances/complaints against Empaneled Health Care Provider Shifa Medical Centre, Srinagar for violating the guidelines issued by the National Health Authority, New Delhi.
Show Cause Notices were issued to the hospital for all such cases and the hospital did not reply to them within the timeframe as mentioned in the guidelines. On the basis numerous grievances/complaints registered against the hospital, a team of officers/officials conducted a surprise visit to the hospital on 23/11/2024 and during interaction with the beneficiaries/patients, it was observed that the hospital is flagrantly violating the guidelines of the scheme including coercing the patients to incur out of pocket expenditure, denial of treatment to the patients,” reads the order.
“Again, a Show Cause Notice was served upon the hospital on 18/12/2024 to explain their stand with regard to cases highlighted during the surprise visit to the hospital; however, the hospital again did not reply to the said Show Cause Notice within the mandated five working days, as Hospital Empanelment and De- Empanelment Guidelines,” it reads.
“The case of the hospital along with all the relevant documents was placed before the State Empanelment Committee during it meeting on 26/12/2024 for deliberation/decision,” It reads.
“It was decided, in accordance with the Hospital Empanelment Guidelines, that the hospital be immediately suspended for a period of 6 months and a penalty of Rs 2615000/- would be imposed for the illegal payments collected from the aggrieved beneficiaries,” reads the order. “However, in the interest of dialysis patients, the hospital may continue providing dialysis treatment to the existing patients under AB PM-JAY/AB PM-JAY SEHAT,” it reads further.
“Now, therefore, Shifa Medical Centre, Magarmal Bagh Srinagar is hereby suspended for a period of 6 months from the date of issuance of this order. However, in the interest of dialysis patients, the hospital shall continue to provide treatment to the existing dialysis patients under AB PM-JAY/AB PM-JAY SEHAT.
Also, a penalty to the tune of Rs 2615000/- (Twenty-Six Lac Fifteen Thousand only) is imposed on the hospital for the illegal payments collected from the aggrieved beneficiaries. The said penalty amount shall be deposited by the hospital within 5 working days. If the hospital fails to deposit the penalty/fine amount within the stipulated time, the same shall be adjusted with the pending payment to the EHCP without any further notice,” the order reads further.
