HME ORDERS MAJOR PROBE INTO ALLEGED CARDIAC PROCEDURE IRREGULARITIES AT GMC ANANTNAG

 

Department Initiates Disciplinary Proceedings Against Cardiologist Over Alleged PMJAY-SEHAT Violations, Record Discrepancies and Procedural Lapses

 

Srinagar, June 20 (ANN): The Health and Medical Education (HME) Department has initiated major departmental proceedings against a cardiologist posted at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag over alleged irregularities related to cardiac procedures, PMJAY-SEHAT claims and medical record management.

 

Official documents accessed by ANN reveal that Dr. Syed Maqbool, a cardiologist at the institution, has been served a chargesheet under the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956. The charges pertain to alleged discrepancies in medical procedures, documentation, insurance claims and procurement practices.

 

According to the memorandum issued by the department, the doctor has been asked to submit a written response within seven days, failing which further proceedings may be conducted ex parte.

 

The inquiry pertains to 103 cardiac cases registered under the “Dual Chamber Pacemaker Implantation” package through the Transaction Management System (TMS). The investigation reportedly found differences between the procedures recorded on official platforms and those documented in Cath Lab records.

 

Officials examining the matter have alleged that certain procedures performed as Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing (LBBAP) were billed under another category within the PMJAY-SEHAT scheme, prompting concerns regarding procedural classification and insurance claims.

 

An expert review conducted following observations by the State Health Agency reportedly examined a number of LBBAP cases performed at GMC Anantnag. The committee observed that several cases required further clinical scrutiny with regard to established indications and treatment guidelines.

 

The inquiry has also examined allegations regarding financial transactions involving certain beneficiaries. In one case mentioned in the chargesheet, a patient allegedly paid ₹70,000 to a private vendor despite being entitled to cashless treatment under the PMJAY-SEHAT scheme.

 

The investigation further points to alleged deviations from established procurement procedures for medical devices and implants. Officials have stated that approved institutional mechanisms for procurement and supply may not have been followed in certain cases.

 

The HME Department has described the allegations as serious in nature and stated that the inquiry will determine whether there was any misconduct, violation of service rules or breach of established medical and administrative procedures.

 

The proceedings are supported by documentary records, including TMS data, Cath Lab registers, patient records, audit reports and findings of the State Anti-Fraud Unit. Several medical experts and officials associated with the investigation have also been listed as witnesses.

 

Officials said that the final outcome of the inquiry will depend upon the evidence and findings recorded during the departmental proceedings. If the charges are substantiated, disciplinary action as provided under the service rules may follow.

 

The case has attracted considerable attention within medical and administrative circles and is expected to have significant implications for healthcare governance, accountability and implementation of the PMJAY-SEHAT scheme in Jammu and Kashmir. (ANN)