Gurgaon Civil Hospital: Ayushman Bharat Cardiac Care Halted, Urgent Probe Underway
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Cardiac care services under the Ayushman Bharat scheme have been suspended for nine months at Gurgaon's Civil Hospital's PPP centre, impacting countless patients. An urgent probe has been initiated to investigate the halt, citing critical issues from pending dues to registration irregularities that have left beneficiaries without essential heart treatments.
Introduction: A Critical Standstill in Public Healthcare
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) stands as a monumental initiative in India, aiming to provide comprehensive health insurance coverage to millions of vulnerable citizens. It ensures access to critical medical services, including complex surgeries and treatments, without imposing a heavy financial burden. However, recent developments at Gurgaon's Sector 10 Civil Hospital have cast a shadow over this vital scheme, with cardiac care services for Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries coming to a grinding halt.
The Heart of the Matter: A Nine-Month Suspension
For nearly nine months, since June 2025, cardiac treatment under the Ayushman Bharat scheme has been suspended at the public-private partnership (PPP) run cardiac centre within Gurgaon's Civil Hospital. This prolonged disruption has raised significant concerns about governance and equitable access to healthcare in the region. The centre, operated by Meditrina Group, stopped admitting Ayushman beneficiaries last summer, leading to widespread distress among those dependent on the scheme for life-saving heart procedures.
Unraveling the Causes: Dues and Documentation
The reasons behind this extended suspension are multifaceted, primarily revolving around financial disputes and administrative non-compliance. The Meditrina Group initially cited unpaid dues and administrative issues as the primary cause for halting services. Officials indicated that approximately ₹1.25 crore was pending at the time services ceased, although nearly ₹1.5 crore had been paid earlier. On the other hand, Meditrina's manager, Mandeep Kumar, claimed that dues of around ₹1.5 crore had been pending for nearly three years, severely impacting the centre's operational sustainability.
Beyond payment bottlenecks, a critical issue has emerged concerning Ayushman Bharat registration norms. Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Manish Bansal highlighted irregularities in document submission, which led to payments not being processed. A key point of contention is the private operator's attempt to seek direct registration under Ayushman Bharat. According to scheme guidelines, private units operating within government hospitals under PPP arrangements cannot seek separate registration but must function under the parent hospital's unique registration ID. This rule is designed to ensure a single claim trail, prevent duplication, and facilitate effective auditing of billing and patient records. Doctors familiar with the situation also suggested that payment delays alone could not fully account for the nine-month suspension, hinting at deeper discrepancies in billing patterns and claim submissions by the private operator, allegations which Meditrina has denied.
The Official Probe Begins
In response to the prolonged halt and mounting concerns, a committee was formally constituted on March 19, 2026, to investigate the matter. DGHS Manish Bansal confirmed the initiation of this probe, stating that the committee would thoroughly examine why cardiac treatment under Ayushman Bharat is not being provided at the Gurgaon Civil Hospital's PPP centre. The committee is expected to delve into both the payment-related bottlenecks and the registration and billing practices of the private operator, with the ultimate goal of recommending concrete steps to restore these essential services.
Patient Plight and the Way Forward
The suspension of cardiac care has had a devastating impact on Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries. Patients requiring cardiac procedures, which typically cost between ₹60,000 and ₹65,000 under the scheme's packages, are now compelled to either seek more expensive treatment at private hospitals or undertake arduous journeys to other districts for care. Many beneficiaries, particularly those from outside Haryana, are being turned away, exacerbating their already precarious health and financial situations. While Civil Surgeon Lokveer Singh noted that some Ayushman beneficiaries are being accommodated under the BPL (Below Poverty Line) category for limited treatment, this offers only partial relief.
The prolonged disruption without formal escalation or corrective action for several months prior to the probe raises serious questions about the monitoring of PPP-run facilities and the enforcement of scheme norms. Empanelled hospitals are mandated to provide cashless treatment to eligible beneficiaries and cannot deny services without valid grounds. The swift resolution of this issue is paramount to uphold the spirit of Ayushman Bharat and ensure that no patient is denied crucial care due to administrative or financial disputes.
Broader Haryana Context and Ayushman Bharat
This incident at Gurgaon Civil Hospital is not an isolated one within Haryana. The state has previously faced widespread challenges in the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, particularly concerning payments to private hospitals. In July and August 2025, hundreds of private hospitals across Haryana threatened or suspended services under Ayushman Bharat due to pending dues amounting to hundreds of crores. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) in Haryana highlighted that hospitals had received only a fraction of their owed reimbursements, creating significant operational difficulties. While the government has often assured prompt fund release, delays and deductions have persisted, straining the relationship between healthcare providers and the state health agency.
Despite these challenges, Ayushman Bharat remains a cornerstone of India's healthcare strategy. The scheme continues to evolve, with efforts to streamline processes and expand coverage. For a deeper understanding of ongoing efforts to bolster healthcare access in the state, read about Haryana's Healthcare Leap: Critical Surgeries Now Under Ayushman Bharat After Delay. Moreover, the scheme recently received a significant boost with the announcement of enhanced health coverage for senior families, reflecting the government's commitment to strengthening social security nets. Learn more about the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Boost: ₹10 Lakh Health Cover for Senior Families.
Conclusion
The ongoing suspension of cardiac care services at Gurgaon Civil Hospital's PPP centre for Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries is a critical situation that demands immediate and comprehensive resolution. The newly initiated probe is a welcome step, but its findings and subsequent actions must ensure that such disruptions are prevented in the future. The fundamental objective of Ayushman Bharat—to provide accessible and affordable healthcare—must be safeguarded, ensuring that administrative and financial complexities do not compromise the well-being of the nation's most vulnerable citizens.