North India Statesman
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New Delhi: A hospital in Gujarat has been fined Rs 45 lakh for charging money for treatment despite having a Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana Card (PMJAY Card) under the Centre's Ayushman Scheme. Not only this, the hospital has also been directed to return Rs 9 lakh collected from the patient's family. The hospital has been given seven days' time for this. The matter pertains to Sterling Hospital located in Gurukul, Ahmedabad. It is alleged that the hospital charged Rs 9 lakh for the treatment despite the patient having a PMJAY card. It is alleged that due to non-payment of money on time, the treatment was stopped, due to which the patient died. Now after receiving the complaint, the District Health Officer has taken action.
Actually, Ranjana Naik, wife of Jaswant Naik, who lives in Sola, Ahmedabad, was taken to Sterling Hospital for emergency treatment after suffering a heart attack. Despite Ranjana Nayak having a PMJAY card, Sterling Hospital did not treat her under the scheme.
It is alleged that the hospital demanded money for treatment. Considering the condition of the patient, the hospital asked to deposit the cash or shift the patient to another place. Seeing the condition of the patient, the family deposited cash for the treatment.
Jashwant Naik, husband of patient Ranjana Naik, while talking to a Hindi news channel, said, “My wife had a heart attack on September 23. Even though the PMJAY card was active, we were told by Sterling Hospital that the patient cannot be treated during PMJAY. In case of emergency, we were asked for money, which we paid. He alleged that when the treatment started, the hospital staff asked for money again, due to which his wife's treatment was also stopped due to delay. Ultimately his wife died on 1 October. The hospital forced him to pay Rs 9 lakh in cash for the treatment.
The committee found the hospital guilty
Ahmedabad's district health officer said that despite the patient having an active PMJAY card, Sterling Hospital collected Rs 9 lakh in cash from his family members for reports, medicines and surgery. The hospital was found guilty after the matter was discussed in the committee in the presence of the hospital's representative. The hospital clearly did not follow PMJAY guidelines. Due to this, the family of the deceased patient has been directed to pay a fine of Rs 9 lakh and the government has been directed to pay a fine of Rs 45 lakh.
