Jaipur: A day after seven govt doctors were suspended in Sikar, the Rajasthan health department has initiated an audit in Bharatpur district to identify employees allegedly misusing the Rajasthan Govt Health Scheme (RGHS).Officials said the scrutiny focuses on suspected misuse of RGHS beneficiary cards and the possible involvement of staff posted at government health facilities. A senior department official said a nursing officer and a female health worker in Bharatpur are under investigation in connection with the irregularities. “At least six nursing staff and female health workers are currently under the scanner for misusing RGHS. Investigations are also underway in other districts to identify doctors and health officials involved in violations,” the official said. According to the department, the alleged modus operandi involves employees using RGHS beneficiary cards for personal benefit, including availing services or raising claims not meant for them. The suspected misuse came to light during verification of scheme-related transactions, following which district-level audits were initiated and monitoring expanded. The department said strict action has already been taken against hospitals, pharmacies and beneficiaries found guilty of irregularities. So far, 19 FIRs have been registered against hospitals and pharmacies. A total of 64 personnel, including seven doctors, have been suspended in connection with RGHS violations. Around 500 RGHS cards have been blocked, and nearly Rs 2 crore has been recovered from beneficiaries for card misuse. Enforcement action has also been taken against empanelled hospitals. The Transaction Management System (TMS) of 33 hospitals has been blocked, payments to 39 hospitals have been stopped, and eight hospitals have been de-empanelled. More than Rs 32 crore has been recovered from hospitals over irregular claims and other violations. Additionally, the TMS of 212 pharmacies has been blocked, and over Rs 5 crore has been recovered from them. Officials said the ongoing Bharatpur audit is part of a wider drive to fix accountability and prevent further misuse of the scheme.
