The Uttar Pradesh government has taken action against 16 hospitals in Bijnor district for negligence in Ayushman Bharat scheme. On the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the State Agency for Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (SACHiS) conducted surprise inspections at 20 hospitals in Bijnor. During the inspection, action was taken against 16 hospitals after instances of negligence were found.
SACHiS CEO Archana Verma stated that a three-member special team constituted by SACHiS conducted surprise inspections at 20 different empanelled hospitals in Bijnor without prior notice.
The investigation found that several hospitals were not fully complying with the prescribed standards of the scheme. Deficiencies in adherence to the Standard Treatment Guidelines as well as shortcomings related to quality standards were found at several locations. Non-compliance with the prescribed guidelines was detected in 16 hospitals. Of these, 6 hospitals have been issued suspension notices and orders have been passed to withhold their payments, while 10 hospitals have been served notices for irregularities.
The penalties will now be calculated, and a penalty amounting to 10 times the applicable amount will be imposed. Irregularities found at these hospitals included repeatedly admitting patients from the same family, booking ICU beds without necessity, and similar practices. Notices have also been issued to the audit agency, while the District Programme Coordinator has been served a show cause notice.
