Source: newindianexpress.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NEW DELHI: Exploiting loopholes in the \nUnion Government’s mega health scheme – Ayushman Bharat, hundreds of \ndoctors allegedly pocketed huge amounts of public funds meant for the \ntreatment of poor patients. Though the scandal seems to have spread \nacross various states, initial reports indicate that several hospitals \nin Uttarakhand have been found involved in siphoning off funds under the\n scheme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under the scheme, doctors of government hospitals referred patients \nto private hospitals for specialized treatment. However, an enquiry \nfound that neither were the patients admitted nor was any operation or \ntreatment carried out. “It seems to be a big fraud. Poor patients were \nvictimised,” alleged Harbhajan Singh Cheema, an MLA from Uttarakhand’s \nKashipur district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Concerned about the ongoing scandal, the Uttarakhand High Court has \nnow directed the Trivendra Singh Rawat government to probe threadbare \nthe financial irregularities related to the health scheme which ensures \ntreatment up to Rs 5 lakh per year for poor patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scam first broke out in Kashipur district, located 90 km from \nNainital. Local resident Munidev Bishnoi complained that scores of poor \npatients were referred by government hospitals for treatment in private \nhospitals but these patients turned out to be ‘ghosts’ on verification. \nNo documents were made available to confirm treatment.<\/ins><\/p>\n\n\n\n Later, Bishnoi decided to unravel the scam and subsequently filed a public interest litigation in the High Court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Talking to IANS, Cheema, a four-time BJP lawmaker, said that such \nscams deprive the poor and needy of their right to avail benefits. “Our \ngovernment will probe deep into the scandal and take action against the \nguilty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “In fact, a few greedy doctors who had links with private hospitals \nhave been involved in the racket. They transferred patients (for better \ntreatment) to other hospitals but on paper. Later, they submitted fake \nbills to pocket funds. But in a few complaints, the role of doctors and \nhospitals was found clean. Whatever may be the case, a thorough probe is\n required.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, the government has registered FIRs and launched \ninvestigations into the scam. State Health Secretary, Nitish Kumar Jha, \ntold IANS that appropriate action was being taken and the outcome of the\n enquiry would be reported to the High Court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I cannot share details at this stage, but we are seriously concerned\n about the complaints which have come from various locations. \nInvestigations are being done wherever irregularities have been found,” \nhe said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sources said that Chief Minister Rawat has instructed officials that \nany irregularity in the Ayushman Bharat scheme should be identified and \nenquired into so that benefits of the scheme reach the poorest of poor \npeople in the state.<\/p>\n