Shifa Hospital in Srinagar has had its empanelment suspended by the State Health Agency (SHA) in Jammu and Kashmir due to a violation of the NHA’s criteria.
As per an order issued by State Health Agency, a penalty of over Rs 26 lakh has been imposed for the illegal payments collected from aggrieved beneficiaries.
“State Health Agency (SHA), J&K received a number of grievances/complaints against Empaneled Health Care Provider Shifa Medical Centre, Srinagar for violating the guidelines issued by the National Health Authority, New Delhi. Show Cause Notices were issued to the hospital for all such cases and the hospital did not reply to them within the timeframe as mentioned in the guidelines. On the basis numerous grievances/complaints registered against the hospital, a team of officers/officials conducted a surprise visit to the hospital on 23/11/2024 and during interaction with the beneficiaries/patients it was observed that the hospital is flagrantly violating the guidelines of the scheme including coercing the patients to incur out of pocket expenditure, denial of treatment to the patients,” reads the order.
“Again a Show Cause Notice was served upon the hospital on 18/12/2024 to explain their stand with regard to cases highlighted during the surprise visit to the hospital, however, the hospital again did not reply to the said Show Cause Notice within mandated five working days, as Hospital Empanelment and De- Empanelment Guidelines,” it reads.
