JAIPUR: The Rajasthan govt has suspended 51 empanelled hospitals from the Rajasthan Govt Health Scheme (RGHS) in the past three months as part of a strict crackdown on financial and procedural irregularities. In the past month, action was also taken against 24 empanelled hospitals following audits, with penalties of around Rs 3 crore imposed.Authorities said these practices caused an unnecessary financial burden on the scheme, leading to recovery action as per rules.Hospitals facing recovery action include Paras JK Hospital in Udaipur, Jeel Hospital in Dungarpur, Marble City Hospital in Ajmer, Manipal Hospital in Jaipur, Soni Hospital in Jaipur and Indus Hospital in Jaipur, among others.The decisions were taken after detailed hearings conducted by RGHS additional Chief Executive Officer Dr Nidhi Patel and examination of documents, evidence and facts in each case.According to officials, audits and investigations found several serious irregularities, including duplication of documents, unnecessary diagnostic tests, separate billing of services already included in packages, absence of required documents and improper conversion of OPD patients into IPD cases to raise claims.Health and medical education minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar said the govt has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, fake claims and misuse of funds under RGHS.Principal Secretary, health and medical education, Gayatri Rathore said the department has strengthened monitoring of the RGHS scheme to ensure transparency, financial discipline and accountability.Rajasthan State Health Assurance Agency Chief Executive Officer Harjilal Atal said the govt’s priority is to ensure that public funds are spent only for eligible beneficiaries. He said the audit system is being made more effective and strict action will continue against fake billing, irregular claims, procedural violations and financial irregularities.
