 Early Times Report
Jammu, July 10: Nearly three weeks after the alleged pacemaker scam at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag came to light, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered a fresh inquiry into cardiology procedures carried out under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and AB PM-JAY SEHAT scheme, directing a newly constituted committee to re-examine earlier findings and conduct a comprehensive audit of medical and financial records.
The move comes amid allegations of large-scale procedural irregularities, fraudulent insurance claims and misuse of government-funded health schemes to siphon off public money.
The fresh inquiry follows the suspension of prominent Kashmir-based cardiologist Dr Syed Maqbool Ahmad Shah on June 20, pending a departmental inquiry into the alleged malpractices.
After placing Dr Shah under suspension, the Health and Medical Education Department constituted a four-member inquiry committee headed by Prof (Dr) Khalid Mohi-ud-Din of Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar. The committee comprises Prof (Dr) Dharminder Kumar and Prof (Dr) Sanjeev Bhat of GMC Jammu, along with Dr Misbah Samad, State Nodal Officer, State Health Agency (SHA), J&K.
According to the latest government order, the newly constituted panel has been tasked with reviewing the findings and recommendations of the earlier expert committee while also examining the written statement of defence and supplementary submissions filed by Dr Shah, an Associate Professor in the Department of Cardiology.
The committee has been directed to scrutinise all relevant medical records, including package selection under the AB PM-JAY and SEHAT schemes, procedural appropriateness, pacemaker implantation records, procurement documents, billing records and all supporting evidence.
It has also been asked to assess the financial implications of the procedures and insurance claims raised under the two government health schemes and determine whether the treatments adhered to national clinical guidelines and prescribed package norms.
The panel has been directed to submit a comprehensive report, along with specific findings and recommendations, to the Administrative Department within 15 days.
The State Health Agency (SHA), J&K, and GMC Anantnag have been instructed to extend full cooperation to the committee by providing all relevant records, documents, technical inputs and logistical support required for the inquiry.
As previously reported, the Health and Medical Education Department has already initiated a departmental inquiry against Dr Shah over allegations of large-scale procedural irregularities, fraudulent insurance claims, patient exploitation, manipulation of official records and violations of established medical protocols. He is also accused of performing invasive cardiac procedures, including pacemaker implantations, on patients who allegedly did not require them.
Official documents reveal that multiple Articles of Charge have been framed against Dr Shah under the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956. The charges include falsification of official records, submission of misleading insurance claims under the PM-JAY SEHAT scheme, unauthorised medical interventions, violation of procurement norms and conduct unbecoming of a government servant.
According to the findings of the departmental inquiry, nearly 50 per cent of the patients evaluated after undergoing advanced cardiac procedures at GMC Anantnag were found not to have required such interventions.
The alleged scam centres around the implantation of pacemakers in 103 cardiac patients. Inquiry findings indicate that 27 of the 55 patients who underwent pacemaker implantation had normal cardiac function, suggesting there was no medical justification for the procedure.
The inquiry further alleged that unnecessary medical interventions were carried out on patients to generate fraudulent insurance claims under government-sponsored health insurance schemes, resulting in substantial financial losses to the public exchequer.
The fresh inquiry is expected to determine the extent of the alleged irregularities, fix accountability and recommend further action based on its findings. |
