The administration of private healthcare institutions in Jabalpur have experienced significant strain following recently updated regulatory directives issued by National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH). State health ministry officials based in Bhopal have initiated continuous requests for updated institutional data, encompassing physician and nursing rosters, bed capacities and operation theatre facilities. This administrative drive specifically impacts private establishments providing care under Government healthcare programmes, including the Ayushman Bharat scheme and the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). The intensified scrutiny stems from persistent operational irregularities across the private medical sector. Investigations revealed that certain facilities have engaged in fraudulent practices to retain accreditation, including the utilisation of dummy patients and the manipulation of bed occupancy records.

 

As per reports, during the COVID-19 pandemic, select local clinics recorded inflated severity levels for minor ailments to obtain improper scheme reimbursements. Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding misleading advertisements offering low-cost surgery packages, which are subsequently followed by undisclosed mandatory charges, as well as facilities operating without qualified specialists or standardised infrastructure. The regulatory mandates have encountered firm resistance from medical providers. Dr Jitin Dhiravani, Secretary, MP Nursing Home Association (Jabalpur branch), stated that while the organisation supports the quality benchmark goals of NABH, it opposes the State Government’s requirement making NABH certification mandatory for Ayushman Bharat empanelment. Mentioning about significant operational and financial barriers,

 

Dr Dhiravani said that to achieve compliance, it requires substantial capital for physical modifications, fire safety upgrades, continuous audit expenses and high consultancy fees. He cited about reimbursement deficits, saying that facilities face delayed Government scheme payouts alongside reduced reimbursement rates for multiple surgical procedures, constraining investment capacity. Simultaneously, the mandatory policy targets major urban centers including Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior and Jabalpur, while rural facilities in over 90 unserved blocks receive compliance relaxations. Smaller institutions report that extensive documentation and compliance monitoring divert essential personnel and resources away from routine patient care.