RTI activist: Cancel registration of pvt hospitals claiming fake medical bills

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 15

Suresh Sharma, RTI activist and Punjab Ekta Party leader, on Friday demanded the cancellation of registration of private hospitals which were found involved in claiming fake medical bills under the Punjab Government’s Ayushman Bharat Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojna.

Recently, the health authorities de-empanelled five private hospitals after they were found guilty of claiming fake medical bills by admitting dummy patients under the scheme. The de-empanelled hospitals were Akashdeep Hospital, New Life Hospital, Verma Hospital, Manu Arora Hospital and Sandhu Life Care Hospital. However, Akashdeep Hospital was later given a clean chit by the district authorities and the Health Department.

According to health authorities, State Health Agency is carrying out a probe into the claims by as many as 87 private hospitals in the city.

Earlier too, various private hospitals had come under the scanner for bungling funds under the Ex-Serviceman Contributory Health Scheme (ESCH) by claiming fake bills. The Army authorities had even lodged a complaint with the cantonment police station here. Around 24 persons, including doctors and several Army veterans, were booked for fraud and forgery. Three of them were later arrested while further investigation was under progress by an SIT in the regard.

During a press conference here, Suresh Sharma said as per the RTI information he gathered from the government, around 40 private hospitals had sought huge claims under the scheme. Though a majority of their claims were rejected by the Punjab Government, a thorough probe was needed to expose those involved in the racket and bungling government funds.