CBI probes stent scam in hospitals

CBI probes stent scam in hospitals


The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing allegations of a coronary stent scam involving several corporate hospitals and staff of Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) in Hyderabad.



The probe began after a beneficiary of the CGHS approached the CBI with a complaint against a corporate hospital located on Banjara Hills Rd No. 1, alleging it was involved in several misappropriations related to coronary stent implantation. Based on the complaint, the CBI had registered a case.



CBI officials said the scam involved billing for a high quality stent but actually implanting a low quality one during surgery. According to officials, implanting a high quality stent like 'drug eluting stent' costs about Rs 1 lakh. A lower quality stent, like bare metal stent, cost about half of this.



The probe will take time as it involves screening of data pertaining to hundreds of CGHS beneficiaries, collection of evidence from various hospitals, complainants and CGHS. "We have to scan each of them for implantation and its quality. It requires expert medical assistance," said a CBI official.



Source: Times of India