Senior cardiologist suspended over alleged PM-JAY irregularities

Action comes days after disciplinary proceedings were initiated over alleged PM-JAY SEHAT scheme violations.

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday placed Dr Syed Maqbool Ahmad Shah, an associate professor and senior cardiologist at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag, under suspension with immediate effect pending the outcome of an inquiry into alleged irregularities under the PM-JAY SEHAT scheme.

The suspension order was issued eight days after the Health and Medical Education Department initiated major disciplinary proceedings against the cardiologist over allegations related to cardiac procedures performed under the government-sponsored health insurance programme.

According to the official order, “Pending enquiry into his conduct, Dr Syed Maqbool Ahmad Shah, Associate Professor, Cardiology presently deputed at GMC Anantnag, is hereby placed under suspension, with immediate effect in terms of rule 31 of J&K Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) rules 1956.”

The order further directed that during the period of suspension, the doctor “shall remain attached in the office of Government Medical College, Jammu.”

On June 12, the government launched disciplinary proceedings against the cardiologist after an investigation allegedly found that 27 of 55 patients who underwent Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing (LBBAP) procedures did not meet the required clinical criteria.

According to an official memorandum issued by Deputy Secretary to Government, Neha Bakhi, and first reported by Kashmir Dot Com, Dr Shah, whose parent posting is at GMC Jammu, has been accused of carrying out cardiac procedures on healthy patients to avail benefits under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) SEHAT scheme for personal interests.

The memorandum states that authorities found no proper medical justification for several procedures, raising concerns over patient safety and professional ethics.

The document further alleges financial misconduct.

It reads, “That you directly violated the absolute cashless and free mandate of the PMJAY/SEHAT scheme and forced vulnerable patients to pay out-of-pocket expenses for procedures done within the government facility, specifically in case ID 1017305786, the patient was coerced into paying around 70,000 to the private company. This financial exploitation of public beneficiaries constitutes severe criminal misconduct.”

Authorities have also accused the cardiologist of procuring medical devices through private external vendors instead of the approved hospital procurement system, allegedly violating established procedures and transparency norms.

The health department has further alleged that the doctor failed to maintain the standards of professional integrity and conduct expected of a public servant. According to the memorandum, the alleged actions amount to violations of Civil Services Conduct Rules and could attract major disciplinary action, including dismissal from service.

Speaking to reporters during an event in Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir Health Minister Sakina Itoo said the government had already initiated an inquiry and taken administrative action.

“We have already initiated an inquiry and placed the doctor under suspension. Strict action will be taken against the guilty after the outcome of the inquiry. We will take it to the conclusion soon,” Itoo said.

Meanwhile, Principal GMC Anantnag, Dr Junaid Salam Wani, told Free Press Kashmir (FPK) that the matter had been referred to the administrative department, which had already initiated an inquiry.

“The matter came into his office last week and the administrative department has already taken action and initiated an enquiry,” Wani told FPK.

The inquiry is ongoing.