Ahmedabad: Disturbing details have emerged from the investigation into Khyati hospital‘s alleged malpractices, revealing a chilling disregard for patient safety. According to the city crime branch officials, the hospital routinely performed critical surgeries in the absence of anaesthetists and without pre- or post-operative care.
“The hospital’s modus operandi was to conduct health check-up camps, identify beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) and bring them to the hospital in Ahmedabad. Then, the patients were rushed into surgeries in ‘emergency mode’ — sometimes within hours of being admitted,” said an investigator. “Patients were also frequently discharged within 24 hours, which is unheard of for procedures like angioplasty,” the officer added.
The officer further said, “While all medical records are under probe, we have found post-dated entries or rough entries that point to the absence of an anaesthetist in the operation theatre at the time of some of the procedures. It is believed that an employee at the hospital administered the anaesthesia. We are probing this angle.”
To maximize profits, the hospital reportedly cut corners. “The hospital reused disposable medical items, skipped prescribed instruments and operated without the required specialists in the room. We will question the accused individuals about this during the remand,” said an officer.
The hospital’s profiteering strategy exploited state and central govt health schemes, particularly PM-JAY. Investigators revealed that nearly 70% of the hospital’s Rs 11-crore revenue over the past 18 months came from such schemes. “The remaining patients mainly came from smaller hospitals and general practitioners who allegedly received a cut from the amount that the patient would spend at the hospital. We are also scrutinising the sarpanches of villages where the health camps were organised,” said an investigator.
Further investigations are focused on how emergency procedures were sanctioned and funds disbursed under the PM-JAY scheme.
