In a worrying development, cardiac treatment under the Ayushman Bharat scheme has remained suspended for nearly nine months at the Sector 10 Civil Hospital in Gurugram. The prolonged halt has triggered concerns over governance, accountability, and access to affordable healthcare for vulnerable patients.
The cardiac unit, operated under a public-private partnership by Meditrina Group, stopped admitting Ayushman beneficiaries in June 2025, leaving hundreds of patients without access to subsidised heart treatment.
Payment Disputes and Administrative Issues
Officials revealed that pending dues of around ₹1.25 crore were cited as one of the primary reasons for the suspension. While nearly ₹1.5 crore had already been paid earlier, the remaining amount allegedly led to operational challenges.
However, experts and doctors familiar with the situation argue that payment delays alone cannot justify such a long disruption. They have pointed towards possible discrepancies in billing patterns and claim submissions, which may have contributed to the deadlock.
Government Orders Probe into the Matter
Taking serious note of the situation, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has constituted a special committee on March 19 to investigate the issue.
DGHS Director General Manish Bansal stated that the committee will examine all aspects, including:
●Reasons behind the prolonged suspension
●Financial disputes and pending claims
●Compliance with Ayushman Bharat norms
Strict action is expected based on the findings of the probe.
Registration Rules Add to the Conflict
Another key issue revolves around registration norms under Ayushman Bharat. According to officials:
A hospital can have only one registration ID under the scheme
The cardiac centre, operating within the civil hospital premises, cannot seek separate registration
Authorities claim that irregularities in documentation and non-compliance with these norms led to delays in claim approvals. This created a bottleneck in payments, further escalating the dispute.
Patients Forced to Seek Costly Alternatives
The suspension has directly impacted patients, especially those from economically weaker sections. Under the scheme, cardiac procedures typically cost Rs 60,000–Rs 65,000, making them accessible to low-income families.
With services halted:
●Patients are being forced to visit expensive private hospitals
●Some are travelling to other districts for treatment
●Out-of-state beneficiaries are reportedly being turned away
Officials confirmed that limited treatment is being provided under the BPL category, but this is not sufficient to meet demand.
Questions Over Monitoring and Accountability
The nine-month delay without timely intervention has raised serious questions about:
Monitoring of PPP-based healthcare facilities
Enforcement of scheme guidelines
Delay in corrective action by authorities
Under Ayushman Bharat rules, empanelled hospitals are required to provide cashless treatment and cannot deny services without valid reasons.
What Happens Next?
The committee is expected to:
●Investigate financial and procedural irregularities
●Recommend corrective measures
●Facilitate restoration of cardiac services
The outcome of this probe will be crucial in restoring trust and ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services for beneficiaries.
