J&K Doctor Suspended Following Probe Into Unnecessary Heart Surgeries on Healthy Patients
A cardiologist at GMC Anantnag has been suspended after an inquiry found he performed unnecessary, invasive heart surgeries on healthy patients and engaged in insurance fraud. The investigation revealed systemic financial exploitation of public healthcare beneficiaries under the PMJAY/SEHAT scheme.
Highlights
- •Dr. Syed Maqbool suspended for performing unnecessary heart surgeries on healthy patients.
- •Audit revealed 49% of sampled cases had normal heart function with no clinical need for procedures.
- •Investigation uncovered coercive financial exploitation, with patients forced to pay private vendors for state-covered care.
- •Accused doctor bypassed mandatory hospital procurement and falsified medical records to claim welfare funds.
A senior cardiologist, Dr. Syed Maqbool Ahmad Shah, has been suspended following an investigation that revealed significant procedural irregularities at the Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag. The inquiry found that nearly half of the patients who underwent advanced cardiac procedures under his care did not possess the required medical conditions for such interventions, raising serious concerns regarding patient exploitation and insurance fraud.
Details of the Cardiac Procedure Inquiry
The investigation, which gained momentum after the State Health Agency identified an unusual increase in claims for specific cardiac procedures in December 2025, focused on allegations of a pacemaker implantation scam. Out of 103 documented cases filed under the PMJAY/SEHAT scheme for 'Dual Chamber Pacemaker Implantation', audit findings revealed that Dr. Maqbool had performed invasive Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing (LBBAP) instead. Expert reviews conducted by the Cardiology Department at SKIMS, Soura, confirmed that 27 out of 55 patients sampled had entirely normal heart function, indicating there was no clinical justification for the procedures performed.
The suspension order, issued by M Raju, the Commissioner/Secretary of the Health and Medical Education Department, invokes Rule 31 of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services Rules, 1956. While under suspension, the cardiologist has been attached to the office of GMC Jammu. Health Minister Sakina Itoo stated that the government acted swiftly after receiving multiple complaints, emphasizing that patient safety and integrity in public healthcare are non-negotiable.
Financial Exploitation and Institutional Violations
Beyond unnecessary surgeries, the inquiry exposed allegations of systematic financial exploitation. The investigation reported that beneficiaries of the PMJAY/SEHAT program, which mandates free care, were coerced into paying significant out-of-pocket expenses. In one verified instance involving a patient named Peer Rafiq Ahmad, the individual was reportedly forced to pay Rs 70,000 directly to a private firm for procedures conducted within a public facility.
The charges further allege that Dr. Maqbool deliberately bypassed established institutional procurement protocols. Instead of using the authorized supply chain managed by the AMRIT Store, he reportedly collaborated with unauthorized private vendors. This circumvention of hospital transparency and quality control measures allowed for the falsification of records and the siphoning of public funds. The State Anti-Fraud Unit (SAFU), which conducted the on-site investigation in December 2025, noted that procurement data had been withheld by store management since April 2025, suggesting potential systemic collusion. The cardiologist is now required to submit a formal defense, as the government moves toward disciplinary proceedings.
