Following the deaths of two out of seven patients who underwent “unwanted” angioplasty at Khyati Hospital in Ahmedabad, the Gujarat government has ordered an FIR against the hospital authorities for culpable homicide, criminal conspiracy, and forgery related to unethical practices aimed at profiting from the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).
Relatives of the patients alleged that the hospital forced heart procedures on healthy individuals. “Based on the case papers and images taken during the procedures, a government inquiry committee found that these seven patients did not need angioplasty. The committee also found that post-operative treatment to angioplasty patients was improper, which led to the deaths of two patients,” stated Principal Health Secretary Dhananjay Dwivedi.
The government has delisted the hospital from PM-JAY and ordered action against it. It has also barred the doctors involved in the angioplasty surgeries from all PM-JAY procedures. “The prescribed system for obtaining consent of patients was not observed by the hospital. Instead of taking consent from patients or family members, consent was taken from other patients,” Dwivedi added.
A new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for cardiology and cardiovascular surgeries under PM-JAY will be published within a week. The Clinical Establishments Act will also be amended regarding informed consent of patients for specific procedures, Dwivedi mentioned.
“Angioplasty will be allowed under PM-JAY only at hospitals with specialized cardiology and cardiovascular surgery facilities. Hospitals with visiting doctors for angioplasty will not be empaneled under PM-JAY,” Dwivedi concluded.
In 2022, Khyati Hospital organized a camp in Telav village near Sanand, where patients were admitted and stents were allegedly inserted without consent, leading to the deaths of three patients. Families raised concerns and filed a complaint with the Vastrapur police.
In August 2024, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) directed Fortis Heart Centre to pay Rs 65 lakhs in compensation for gross negligence in conducting angioplasty. The hospital and the assigned doctor ignored the patient’s lung condition and proceeded with angioplasty, resulting in severe complications.
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These incidents highlight the critical need for stringent regulations and oversight in medical procedures to prevent unnecessary interventions and ensure patient safety.