Srinagar, Jul 11: The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered a fresh high-level inquiry into cardiology procedures performed under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) – SEHAT scheme at Government Medical College (GMC), Anantnag.
A four-member expert committee will review the findings of the earlier inquiry, examine the defence submitted by the suspended cardiologist and submit its report within 15 days.
According to an order issued by the Health and Medical Education Department, the panel will be headed by Prof. (Dr.) Khalid Mohi-ud-Din, professor at GMC Srinagar. Members are Prof. (Dr.) Dharminder Kumar and Prof. (Dr.) Sanjeev Bhat, professors at GMC Jammu, and Dr. MisbahSamad, State Nodal Officer, State Health Agency (SHA), J&K.
The committee will examine the findings and recommendations of the earlier expert panel,scrutinise the written defence and supplementary submissions filed by Dr. Syed Maqbool, associate professor of cardiology at GMC Anantnag, and review all relevant medical records.
“It will also verify package selection details, assess the appropriateness of procedures performed, examine pacemaker implantation records, procurement and billing documents, and evaluate the financial implications arising from claims raised under the AB PM-JAY/SEHAT scheme,” the order said.
The panel will also assess whether the procedures complied with national clinical guidelines and PM-JAY package norms before submitting its findings and recommendations.
The government has directed the State Health Agency (SHA) and GMC Anantnag to provide all records, documents, technical inputs and logistical support to the committee.
The fresh inquiry comes after the government initiated major penalty proceedings against Dr. Maqbool and placed him under suspension over alleged irregularities in cardiac procedures and PM-JAY/SEHAT claims.
The case surfaced after the State Anti-Fraud Unit received complaints that some beneficiaries had incurred out-of-pocket expenses despite the scheme’s cashless treatment provision.
A subsequent audit flagged unusual trends in claims for advanced cardiac procedures.
The SHA referred the matter to an expert panel of cardiologists from Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, for technical evaluation.
Based on the audit and the panel’s findings, the government issued a charge memorandum against Dr. Maqbool.
The charges include alleged submission of claims under incorrect package codes, performance of invasive procedures without adequate clinical indication, violation of procurement norms and out-of-pocket expenditure by beneficiaries.
The inquiry alleged that 101 Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing (LBBAP) procedures were billed as dual-chamber pacemaker implantations under the PM-JAY/SEHAT scheme.
It also cited a technical assessment that reportedly found 27 of 55 reviewed patients had normal ventricular function, making the implantations “completely unindicated or unnecessary.”
The assessment later came under scrutiny after senior SKIMS officials said the institute had no institutional role in preparing the report and that the government had sought opinions from cardiologists who have since retired.
Dr. Maqbool has denied the allegations.
He said the procedures were medically justified, followed accepted cardiology practices and were performed in the best interest of patients.
Dr Maqbool has also challenged the findings of the earlier inquiry in his written defence, which the newly constituted panel will now examine.
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