PMC Steps Up Inspection of Private Hospitals Under UPHS
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is set to intensify its scrutiny of private hospitals empanelled under the Urban Poor Health Scheme (UPHS) in response to rising concerns over fraudulent practices. The decision follows an alarming incident in which a prominent knee surgeon from the city was booked for allegedly falsifying patient details and manipulating surgery records to claim benefits under the scheme. This has raised serious questions about the integrity of the programme and its ability to deliver on its promise to the city’s economically weaker sections.
Dr Sanjeev Wavare, the Assistant Health Chief of PMC, revealed that inspections would begin next week, with both ward medical officers and zonal medical officers conducting surprise visits to verify the accuracy of patient records. In addition, a random selection of records will be cross-checked to ensure that funds are being allocated properly. The drive aims to ensure that the ₹50-60 crore the PMC allocates annually to the scheme is used for the benefit of genuinely needy patients. Dr Wavare further assured that any malpractice uncovered during these inspections would result in stringent actions, including criminal charges and the disempanelling of hospitals from the scheme.
The Urban Poor Health Scheme, launched in 2021, was designed to provide free or subsidised healthcare to economically disadvantaged citizens in Pune. Originally aimed at families with an annual income of ₹1 lakh, the scheme was later expanded to include families earning up to ₹2 lakh. Under the UPHS, the PMC covers treatment costs up to ₹1 lakh for general illnesses and ₹2 lakh for critical conditions. Despite its well-intentioned goals, the scheme has faced several challenges, with accusations of corruption and improper utilisation of funds. According to official figures, over 140 private hospitals have been empanelled under the scheme, catering to over 90,000 beneficiaries. However, multiple incidents of malpractice have raised concerns about whether these resources are reaching those who need them most.
In response to growing public dissatisfaction and reports of corruption, PMC officials took corrective action by reshuffling the departments of health officials in August 2023. Municipal Commissioner Rajendra Bhosale emphasised the need for increased transparency and stringent enforcement to maintain the credibility of the scheme. However, the latest revelations about fraudulent practices at Modern Hospital in Nana Peth, which occurred between May 20 and May 30, 2024, have brought the issue to the forefront again, highlighting a significant gap in the PMC’s oversight mechanisms.
From a sustainability perspective, ensuring that public health resources are used efficiently is critical to building a robust and equitable healthcare system in urban centres like Pune. The UPHS, designed to alleviate the burden on economically disadvantaged families, must be scrutinised to ensure that it is not undermined by fraud. Sustainable urban healthcare requires not only effective management of funds but also a commitment to transparency and accountability. The PMC’s decision to launch a comprehensive inspection drive represents a crucial step towards safeguarding the integrity of the programme and ensuring that its benefits reach the intended recipients.
In a city as fast-growing as Pune, the effective utilisation of public healthcare schemes can significantly impact long-term sustainability. By holding hospitals accountable and addressing fraudulent practices head-on, the PMC is reinforcing the need for ethical governance in the healthcare sector. Ultimately, the success of schemes like the UPHS will depend on the ability of civic authorities to manage resources wisely and make healthcare more accessible to Pune’s underserved populations.
