Health schemes: Committee to conduct inquiry over referring patients from public to private hospitals

5 doctors banned from private practice

SRINAGAR: A committee has been constituted by the government to conduct an in-depth inquiry of referral of patients by accused doctors from public hospitals to private ones for availing treatment under  AB-PMJAY and SEHAT schemes.

“Sanction is hereby accorded to the constitution of a Committee to conduct an in-depth enquiry into the issue related to referral of patients by the accused doctors, from Public Hospitals to Private Hospitals for availing treatment/benefits under AB-PMJAY, & SEHAT Schemes,” reads an order issued by Principal Secretary to the Government Health and Medical Education Manoj Kumar Dwived.

As per the order Choudhary Mohammad Yasin, Mission Director National Health Mission, J&K will be Chairman of the committee, while Shakoor Ahmad Dar, JKAS Deputy Secretary H&ME Department and Farooq Ahmad Thoker, Assistant Accounts officer, H&ME Department will be members of the Committee.

“The Committee shall submit its report to the Administrative Department, with concrete recommendations/remedial measures to curb such type of incidents in future. The Committee shall also suggest measures for better implementation /monitoring of the Scheme (s) on monthly basis,” the order reads.

“The State Health Agency, J&K shall provide the necessary service, as required by the committee,” it adds further.

Meanwhile, five doctors accused of referring patients from public hospitals to private hospitals for availing benefits under AB-PMJAY and SEHAT schemes have been banned from doing any private practice in the UT of J&K with immediate effect.

“Pending inquiry into the allegations, regarding the issue related to the referral of patients from Public Hospitals to Private Hospitals for availing treatment /benefits under AB-PMJAY & SEHAT Schemes, by the Committee constituted vide Government order No 610-JK(HME) of 2022 dated 11.08.2022, five doctors are banned from doing any private practice in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, with immediate effect,” reads a separate order issued by Principal Secretary to the Government Health and Medical Education Manoj Kumar Dwivedi.

As per order, the doctors who have been banned from any private practice include Dr. Tufail Ahmad Lone posted at SDH Pattan, Dr. Noorudin Shah PCR Srinagar, Dr. Mudasir Shahdar SDH Magam, Dr. Farooq Ahmad SDH Tangmarg and Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad Parrah PHC Hajin.