PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
A high level team of the State Health Authority (SHA) conducted a surprise inspection of the hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat scheme on Tuesday. The team led by director of claims, Dr Saroj Naithani, revealed several discrepancies in many hospitals.
The team inspected Arihant Hospital, Hans Dialysis Centre, Baluni Hospital, Rahi Netralaya and Ojaswi Hospital. The team found that the six-bed dialysis centre at Arihant Hospital was operating in a small room. The inspection also revealed that there was no regular doctor monitoring the centre and that the nursing staff lacked adequate knowledge of the dialysis process. A show-cause notice has been issued to the hospital. The team also inspected the Hans Dialysis Centre where it found that the services at the centre were not being utilized as expected. Besides, there was a huge lack of information, education and communication activities required to make patients aware about the scheme. The team found that only four patients were admitted to Ojaswa Hospital during the inspection, including two brought from Udham Singh Nagar under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. During the inspection, two cases revealed unnecessary ICU admissions.
In one case at Baluni Hospital, a beneficiary was charged Rs 17,250, even though treatment under the Ayushman scheme should be completely free. Considering this irregularity serious, a departmental inquiry has been ordered.
Dr Naithani said that any negligence, irregularities or violations of patient rights under the Ayushman scheme will not be tolerated.
