Ayushman Bharat authorities have sent a show-cause notice to Chirayu Hospital in Madhya Pradesh for refusing a woman Covid patient the benefits of the scheme despite the facility being empanelled under it. The accusation has been dismissed by the hospital.
After a video complaint of the woman’s son, Yogesh Balwani, went viral on social media following her death on May 15, S Viswanathan, the CEO of Ayushman Bharat “Niramayam” in Madhya Pradesh, informed Chirayu Hospital today.
Mr Balwani said that his mother, Rukmini Balwani, was admitted to Chirayu Hospital on April 19 in his complaint. Mr Balwani said a hospital staffer, Gaurav Bajaj, allegedly misbehaved with him when he requested benefits for her under the health scheme based on Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s May 7 announcement.
The incentives were also denied by the hospital’s head, Dr. Ajay Goenka, according to the video message.
COVID patients with an Ayushman Bharat Yojana card can get free care at government and private hospitals in the state, according to Chief Minister Chouhan. Tests such as CT scans and drugs such as remdesivir, as well as injections and oxygen, will be given free of charge under the scheme.
According to government records, 2.42 crore Ayushman Bharat cards have been distributed in Madhya Pradesh, covering up to 88 percent of the state’s population.
However, in a separate video clip, Dr Goenka, the hospital’s chief, refuted Mr Balwani’s claims, claiming that his mother was admitted to the hospital on April 19, although the government order was only issued on May 7.
“Many Ayushman scheme beneficiaries have been admitted to the hospital since then,” said the senior doctor.
However, according to the Ayushman Bharat MP website, the state government requested that card-holder Corona patients be treated in empanelled hospitals on March 24, 2020. This scheme includes Chirayu Hospital and Medical College.
The following is an excerpt from today’s show-cause notice: “Chirayu Hospital has been ordered to provide all facts, records, and documentation pertaining to the incident. Also, within three days of receiving this note, have a reasoned response to the matter.”
Failure to respond to the notice and provide an effective response can result in de-empanelment action being taken against the hospital, according to the notice.
