Ahmedabad, India – In a series of troubling incidents, Khyati Hospital in Bodakdev is under scrutiny after the deaths of five patients who had undergone angioplasty procedures. Authorities began a thorough investigation following two fatalities reported on November 11, which uncovered three prior deaths linked to similar procedures at the facility over the last 18 months. The deceased had initially visited medical camps organized by the hospital in their local villages.
Local police were informed about the cases on Thursday, as relatives of the deceased accused the medical staff of unprofessional practices. According to family statements, initial patient assessments by hospital doctors did not employ standard diagnostic tests such as ECG, 2D Echo, or TMT, leading to quick recommendations for angioplasty based solely on superficial examinations.
In particular, a resident of Khavad village, Jitendra Chavda, reported an unsettling account of his parents’ examination at a school-based medical camp. The examining doctor claimed his father, Mulji Chavda, had arterial blockages just by visual assessment. The elder Chavda underwent an angioplasty the following day, which was complicated, and he subsequently died in a different hospital weeks later.
A similar case involved 85-year-old Fataji Thakor, who died a day after his angioplasty performed at Khyati Hospital. Suresh Thakor, the deceased’s grandson, detailed how his grandfather was diagnosed and immediately recommended for the procedure after a brief examination at a medical camp.
Likewise, Ganpat Valand, who had attended a camp in Vinayakpura village, was rushed into angioplasty alongside another patient diagnosed at the same event. His condition deteriorated after the surgery, leading to his death a few days later. His wife, Lakshmi Valand, expressed in her statement that the haste and lack of thorough diagnosis raised concerns about the necessity and safety of the procedures.
Suspicions of financial motives have also emerged, with relatives alleging that the hospital might have pushed for unnecessary procedures to claim benefits under the government-funded Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), which offers health insurance for low-income families. The hospital provided transport for the patients from their villages to the hospital, which some families perceive as part of a strategy to maximize patient turnout and subsequent claims.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to determine the full scope of malpractices and the potential exploitation of patients under the guise of accessible medical care. The case brings to light the crucial need for stringent oversight in medical camps and the ethical responsibilities of healthcare providers to ensure the safety and well-being of patients, especially in rural healthcare engagements.