Rajasthan Government Takes Strong Action Against RGHS Irregularities
The Rajasthan government has taken decisive action against alleged corruption within its healthcare system. On Friday, authorities suspended seven doctors and initiated steps to register First Information Reports (FIRs) against a private hospital and a diagnostic center for suspected misuse of the Rajasthan Government Health Scheme (RGHS).
Widespread Irregularities Uncovered in Sikar District
Principal Secretary of Health, Gayatri Rathore, confirmed that continuous measures are being implemented to ensure the smooth operation of RGHS. The crackdown follows an extensive audit conducted in Sikar district, which revealed significant irregularities in scheme implementation.
The suspended medical professionals include:
- Dr. Kamal Kumar Agarwal, Associate Professor in Orthopedics Department
- Dr. Sunil Kumar Dhaka, Associate Professor in Orthopedics Department
- Dr. Mukesh Verma, Associate Professor in General Medicine Department at Medical College, Sikar
- Dr. Rakesh Kumar of CHC Kirwa
- Dr. Gajraj Singh of SK Hospital
- Dr. S.S. Rathore of SK Hospital
- Dr. Sunil Sharma of SK Hospital
FIRs Filed Against Healthcare Facilities
Rathore further disclosed that FIRs are being registered against Bharatpur Nursing Home in Bharatpur and Bothra Diagnostic and Imaging Center in Bikaner. Official letters have been dispatched to the chief medical and health officers of the concerned districts regarding these legal actions.
RGHS Chief Executive Officer Harjilal Atal provided detailed insights into the investigation findings. The probe revealed that Kashish Pharmacy and Bharatpur Nursing Home in Bharatpur allegedly caused substantial financial losses to the state exchequer through collusion and fraudulent activities.
Sophisticated Fraud Mechanisms Uncovered
According to the investigation report, Dr. Sangeeta Agarwal allegedly displayed an RGHS board at Bharatpur Nursing Home to attract beneficiaries, despite the hospital not being previously approved under the scheme. The fraudulent operation involved multiple sophisticated mechanisms:
- RGHS cardholders received treatment at the unapproved facility
- Their SSO ID passwords were obtained to generate Transaction IDs (TIDs)
- Following treatment, tests and medicines were allegedly adjusted on the RGHS portal through Kashish Pharmacy to secure improper payments
- Fake bills were prepared in beneficiaries' names to facilitate claim approvals
The hospital has already been de-empanelled from the RGHS scheme, with FIR action now being pursued to address the financial misconduct.
Diagnostic Center Prescribed Unnecessary Tests
Scrutiny of claims submitted by Dr. Bothra Diagnostic and Imaging Center in Bikaner revealed additional concerning practices. Investigators found cases where patients were allegedly prescribed more tests than medically necessary, with irregularities detected in test reports.
Specific findings included patient records displaying tests such as HbA1c, RA Factor, and Procalcitonin without clear medical justification. In some instances, HbA1c reports for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) were unavailable, and related consultations were not documented on OPD slips.
Verification Reveals Signature Forgery
Given the seriousness of these allegations, documents were verified by senior doctors at PBM Government Hospital in Bikaner. The verification process uncovered disturbing patterns:
- Several prescriptions bearing doctors' names and seals contained signatures and handwriting that the named physicians did not acknowledge
- Some doctors confirmed they were on leave or not present in OPD on relevant dates, yet prescriptions and tests were documented under their names
- Investigators found instances where doctors named on prescriptions were not posted at PBM Hospital during the relevant period
- Some physician registrations were dated later than the prescription dates
The Rajasthan government's comprehensive action demonstrates its commitment to eliminating corruption within the healthcare system and ensuring that public health schemes serve their intended beneficiaries without exploitation.
