Lucknow: Deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak on Wednesday said Uttar Pradesh govt has planned to make technology-driven monitoring, stronger audits and better hospital quality checks the focus of the next phase of the Ayushman Bharat scheme.Addressing an ‘Ayushman Samvad’ organised by SACHIS to mark eight years of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Pathak said: “Govt would strengthen data analytics, field audits and technology-based surveillance to make the scheme more transparent and effective.”He said suspicious claims and irregularities were being identified through these measures and hospitals violating norms would face action including suspension, de-empanelment, financial penalties and recovery.“The next phase will also focus on expanding the network of quality hospitals and improving grievance redressal. We will use the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, digital health records and data-based monitoring to improve healthcare delivery under the scheme,” he said.He said hospital quality, fire safety and availability of doctors were also being monitored to ensure beneficiaries received proper treatment.“The right of poor and needy patients is paramount,” Pathak said, adding that hospitals doing good work were partners of govt but there would be no place for irregularities.Asserting that govt’s priority remained ensuring that every eligible family received the benefits of the scheme, he appealed to eligible people who had not yet obtained Ayushman cards to get them made and seek information only through authorised channels.“Govt aims to ensure that no eligible family was deprived of an Ayushman card or that financial constraints prevented an eligible patient from receiving necessary treatment,” he said.The programme was attended by principal secretary, medical and health, Hekali V Zhimomi, secretary Ritu Maheshwari, National Health Authority director Dr Piyush Singla, CEO Archana Verma and senior officials of the medical and health department.
