Almost two weeks after the state government of Gujarat imposed a complete ban on conducting medical camps by hospitals listed under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana-Mukhyamantri Amrutam (PMJAY-MA). Criminal investigation in fraud case connected with Khyati Multispeciality Hospital In Ahmedabad, the state lifted the suspension but with heavy regulations.
The December 4 notification, accessed by The Indian Express, states that the State Health Agency (SHA), which is the implementing partner of the National Health Insurance Scheme under Ayushman Bharat, continues to “discourage” any and all hospitals listed under the scheme. Conducting these medical camps.
However, if such camps are held, the hospitals will be subject to newly-introduced procedures and regulatory measures.
A senior official said the tighter rules were important to ensure the camps “earn money” that could be used to abuse the scheme, which is the world’s largest public sector health insurance scheme.
“The hospital shall obtain permission from the Chief District Health Officer (CDHO) before organizing such a camp, and only if such permission is granted,” the notification said. What is noteworthy is that previously, with the help of village level officials, the hospital used to conduct such camps wherever and whenever it wanted.
The notification issued in the name of Health Commissioner Harshad Patel, who is also the ex-officio CEO of Gujarat’s AB-PMJAY-MA scheme, also outlines that all medical and social data collected from screening camps should be shared with districts. Health Administration. This includes the number of people attending the camp, doctors and their qualifications, primary medical diagnosis of all the patients attending the camp, and how many of the camp participants are PMJAY beneficiaries.
In addition, the hospital must inform the health department if any of the participants in the camp require treatment within three months of the camp operation. At least one district level health officer should be present for the entire duration of the medical camp. During the follow-up treatment in the hospital, the hospital should inform the district and state health department if there is any adverse effect on the camp participants.
The notification has made it clear that if the patient is forced to go to the hospital for examination by showing any kind of coercion, misinformation or temptation before or during the camp, the right to take the initiative is reserved to the state. Strict action, suspension of the scheme and legal action against the hospital.