When Healing Yielded to Greed: Govt Recommends Termination of GMC Cardiologist Dr Syed Maqbool
103 Cardiac Procedures, ₹70,000 Patient Payment: Govt Alleges PMJAY Fraud
Srinagar, June 20, KNT: What was meant to be a lifeline for poor patients under the PMJAY-SEHAT scheme allegedly became a conduit for financial exploitation at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag, with the Health and Medical Education Department accusing a cardiologist of manipulating cardiac procedure records, bypassing government procurement channels and forcing beneficiaries of a cashless scheme to spend money from their own pockets.
In a memorandum initiating disciplinary proceedings against Dr. Syed Maqbool, Cardiologist at GMC Anantnag, the department has raised serious charges, including data falsification and financial fraud, patient exploitation, and serious medical malpractice.
The memorandum alleges that 103 cardiac cases were booked under the Dual Chamber Pacemaker package while a different procedure was actually performed, resulting in wrongful claims under the PMJAY-SEHAT scheme.
The department further alleges that poor patients entitled to free treatment were compelled to incur out-of-pocket expenses, with one audited beneficiary reportedly paying ₹70,000 to a private firm for a procedure conducted inside a government hospital.
The inquiry also alleges deliberate circumvention of official procurement mechanisms and collaboration with private vendors outside the approved supply chain.
A clinical review by experts from SKIMS, Srinagar, cited in the departmental record reportedly found that 27 out of 55 audited cases lacked medical justification for the procedure performed, leading the State Health Agency to reject the claims.
The memorandum describes the conduct as a gross abuse of official position, financial exploitation of beneficiaries and serious medical malpractice warranting major disciplinary action.
The doctor has been asked to submit his defence before the government as disciplinary proceedings move forward. [KNT]
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