Srinagar, Jan 14 : The State Health Agency (SHA) in Jammu and Kashmir has taken strict action against Shifa Medical Centre, Srinagar, suspending its empanelment for six months due to multiple violations of guidelines issued by the National Health Authority (NHA).
The hospital has also been penalized with a fine exceeding Rs 26 lakh for unauthorized payments collected from beneficiaries.
According to an official order issued by the SHA, the action was prompted by a series of grievances and complaints lodged against the hospital.
Beneficiaries reported that the hospital was coercing patients into out-of-pocket expenditures and denying treatment, actions that blatantly disregarded the guidelines of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and AB PM-JAY SEHAT schemes.
A surprise inspection conducted on November 23, 2024, revealed significant violations, corroborated through direct interaction with patients and beneficiaries. Following this, a show-cause notice was served to the hospital, requesting an explanation. However, Shifa Medical Centre failed to respond within the mandated timeframe.
Despite receiving a second show-cause notice on December 18, 2024, the hospital again failed to provide a response within the stipulated five working days. The matter was subsequently escalated to the State Empanelment Committee, which deliberated on the case during its meeting on December 26, 2024.
In accordance with Hospital Empanelment and De-Empanelment Guidelines, the committee decided to impose a six-month suspension on the hospital. Additionally, a fine of Rs 26,15,000 was levied for illegal payments collected from patients.
While the suspension limits the hospital’s operations under the government healthcare schemes, a critical exemption has been made for dialysis patients. The hospital has been permitted to continue providing dialysis treatment to its existing patients under AB PM-JAY and AB PM-JAY SEHAT, ensuring continuity of care for this vulnerable group.
The order also mandates that the hospital deposit the penalty amount within five working days. Failure to comply will result in the fine being adjusted against pending payments to the hospital without further notice. [KNT]
