Hisar Hospital Booked for Alleged Ayushman Bharat Fraud Involving Newborn
In a startling revelation from Haryana, a private hospital in Hisar has been officially booked for suspected fraud under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. The case centers on the hospital allegedly claiming Rs 48,000 by falsely documenting a newborn baby as admitted, despite the infant being discharged days earlier.
CM Flying Squad Raid Uncovers Forged Hospital Records
Acting on a detailed complaint, a joint team comprising the Chief Minister Flying Squad and the Health Department conducted a surprise raid at Vidhata Nursing Home located in Uklana Mandi, Hisar. During the inspection, officials discovered multiple irregularities and discrepancies in the hospital's admission and billing records, which strongly supported the allegations made by the complainant.
Complainant's Account Reveals Suspicious Hospital Practices
The complaint was filed by Sandeep Kumar, a resident of Bithmara village, who grew increasingly suspicious after noticing oddities related to his newborn son's supposed hospital stay. Kumar explained that he had admitted his wife, Sonia, to the hospital on March 3 for delivery. Following a normal delivery, both mother and child were discharged on March 7. He paid Rs 25,000 out-of-pocket for treatment expenses, as the hospital reportedly refused to process the claim under the Ayushman scheme. Additionally, Kumar alleged that the hospital retained their Ayushman and Aadhaar cards without justification.
His suspicions escalated when he revisited the hospital on March 14 for a follow-up check-up. "The doctor asked me to bring the newborn the next day. Since the baby was healthy, I did not go," Kumar stated. He further claimed that hospital staff repeatedly called him, pressuring him to bring the child. On March 15, when he visited again, he was shocked to learn that his newborn had been recorded as admitted to the hospital since March 7.
Verification and Official Action Taken
To confirm the details, Kumar verified the information at a Common Service Centre, where the Ayushman portal clearly showed that the hospital had claimed Rs 48,000 by falsely showing the newborn as admitted. Following this verification, he approached the CM Flying Squad, prompting the raid that uncovered the forged records.
CM Flying Hisar Range incharge Suneina commented on the incident, emphasizing, "The Ayushman scheme is meant to provide free and quality healthcare services to the needy, but such fraudulent practices not only cause financial loss to the government but also deprive eligible beneficiaries of their rights." She added that, given the seriousness of the matter, a formal complaint has been submitted to the police for legal action against the hospital.
Investigation Ongoing Amid Broader Implications
A detailed inquiry has now been initiated to delve deeper into the fraud allegations. This case highlights potential vulnerabilities in the implementation of government healthcare schemes and raises concerns about oversight in private medical facilities. Authorities are likely to scrutinize similar claims to prevent future abuses, ensuring that schemes like Ayushman Bharat fulfill their intended purpose of supporting vulnerable populations without exploitation.
