A review meeting of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) scheme was held today in the state capital, chaired by Gujarat State Health Minister Rushikesh Patel on November 30. During the meeting, the Minister was briefed in detail about the operational and management aspects of the scheme, covering everything from pre-authorisation processes to claim approvals.
Minister Patel emphasised that under the PMJAY scheme, there will be zero tolerance for any malpractice. He made it clear that both empanelled hospitals and other medical institutions in the state must adhere strictly to ethical practices and any attempts by doctors or hospitals to manipulate treatments or compromise patient care will result in stringent and exemplary action.
The Minister also noted that the PMJAY’s structure, management, and operations have been further streamlined to improve efficiency and ensure that no errors, whether major or minor, are left unaddressed within the system.
New guidelines will soon be issued for empanelled hospitals, particularly in areas such as cardiovascular care, cardiology, paediatrics, radiology and chemotherapy, in an effort to enhance the quality of services provided.
To strengthen the scheme’s anti-fraud measures, the State Anti-Fraud Unit (SAFU) will be bolstered, with a new team assigned to visit hospitals for inspections. Reports from these visits will be compiled, and the triggers for fraud detection will be revised in consultation with the National Anti-Fraud Unit (NAFU) to meet state-specific needs.
Additionally, steps will be taken to ensure the quality of stents and implants used in medical procedures. A mandatory portal for uploading the details of Angiography (CAG) and Angioplasty (PTCA) procedures, along with the relevant CD footage, will be launched soon. The software for this portal is in its final stages of development.
The Chief District Health Officer/Medical Officer of Health will also conduct audit visits to at least two hospitals each month. Hospitals will be evaluated based on their performance and rewarded accordingly.
Finally, Minister Patel announced that, for specialised treatments provided by PMJAY-affiliated hospitals, explicit consent must be obtained from patients and their families through an audio-video medium after a thorough explanation of the proposed treatment.
Also Read: Abhivyakti Edition 6 Draws Over 1 Lakh Visitors in 10 Days
