Photo Courtesy: nenow
Guwahati: Assam Medical College and Hospital in Dibrugarh has launched a high-level investigation into allegations that a surgeon denied a patient treatment under the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme. The controversy surfaced after local BJP leader Ujjal Kashyap reported that the patient's family was told the surgery would not be covered by the government scheme and was forced to procure their own medicines.
Reports indicate the family received an operation theatre medicine list before the procedure. Following intervention from higher authorities, the hospital reversed its stance, allowed the use of scheme-covered medicine, and performed the surgery on June 12. However, the patient's family later claimed the surgeon failed to visit the patient during the recovery period between June 12 and June 17, leaving care duties primarily to nursing staff.
Further concerns arose when the family alleged the doctor later requested they take the patient home and approach the Ayushman office directly. AMCH Superintendent Dhrubajyoti Bhuyan confirmed the formation of a committee to examine the claims. Regarding the ongoing investigation, Bhuyan stated, "The inquiry is currently underway. If any doctor is found guilty of wrongdoing following the investigation, appropriate action will be taken as per rules."
Hospital authorities are now reviewing potential violations of medical ethics and government healthcare protocols. A purported recording of a phone call regarding the incident has also surfaced on social media, though its authenticity remains unverified. The final report is expected to clarify whether the hospital's internal standards and the Ayushman Bharat guidelines were compromised during the patient's stay.
Comments