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Jaipur: A significant scam has been uncovered in Rajasthan, implicating doctors in a scheme that enabled individuals to fraudulently obtain government financial aid by feigning silicosis. The Health Department has recommended that the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) take action against six doctors, six radiographers, and two radiologists in the Dausa district.
The fraud is estimated to be around \$90 crore. Authorities have already disbursed $13.08 crore to 436 ineligible individuals, while halting payments of $77.67 crore to another 2,589 individuals.
An investigative team from SMS Hospital examined over 7,000 cases and determined that 2,589 were fraudulent. Healthy individuals allegedly posed as silicosis patients, using X-rays of actual patients with the help of medical professionals.
Reports indicate that doctors and radiologists colluded to issue certificates to these individuals, who then used the reports to claim $3 lakh each in financial assistance from the government.
Of the 2,589 fake silicosis cases, 1,740 originated in the Dausa district. The Health Department has urged the ACB to take action against the implicated medical staff in Dausa. Similar fraudulent activities are also under investigation in Pali, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Karauli.
Under the government scheme, silicosis patients receive $3 lakh upon diagnosis, a monthly pension of \$1,500, and an additional $2 lakh is provided to the family upon the patient’s death.
The Department of Special Persons requested an investigation from the Health Department due to a surge in applicants shortly after the scheme’s launch in 2022. Irregularities were detected in five out of sixteen districts.
No irregularities were found in Sawai Madhopur, Sirohi, Sikar, Nagaur, Kota, and Tonk. However, 436 ineligible persons in Dausa, Pali, Jodhpur, Karauli, and Jaisalmer were granted a total of \$13.08 crores. The payment of \$77 crore 67 lakhs has been stopped towards 2589 individuals.
Teams Under Scrutiny
Several teams of doctors are under investigation for issuing fake certificates:
Dr. Meena, radiographer Shankar Lal Meena, and radiologist Ghanshyam Meena: Out of 52 certificates issued, 18 were fake.
Dr. Mukesh Sirova, radiographer Manohar Lal Yadav, and radiologist Ghanshyam Meena: 10 out of 64 certificates were fake. Dr. Prem Meena, radiographer Ketan, and radiologist Ghanshyam from Bholapada: 346 out of 444 certificates were fake.
Dr. Manoj Ucchwal, radiographer Sandeep Sharma, and radiologist Ghanshyam Meena: 727 out of 1,016 reports were fake.
Dr. Dinesh Kumar: The same X-ray reports were given to 41 patients. Reports from radiologist Suresh Chand Saini and radiographer Lokendra Singh Gurjar are also under scrutiny. Dr. Devinarayan Sharma, radiographer Manohar Lal Yadav, and radiologist Ghanshyam Meena: 542 out of 884 medical reports were fake.
Reaction
A medical college faculty member shared on X: “Silicosis scam by radiologists and radiographers A shocking scam has been uncovered in Dausa, Rajasthan, where healthy individuals were falsely shown as suffering from silicosis to claim ₹3 lakh from the government under the Rajasthan Pneumoconiosis Policy… I hope the culprits face appropriate punishment.”
**Disclaimer:** *This news article is based on initial reports and ongoing investigations. The information provided is subject to change as the investigation progresses. Names of individuals and figures are based on the source material and do not represent a final judgment.*
Citations:
[1] https://medicaldialogues.in/news/health/doctors/x-rays-for-sale-8-doctors-including-2-radiologists-under-scanner-in-rs-90-crore-silicosis-scam-146251
