Ahmedabad: The Gujarat Medical Council (GMC) has formally asked the National Medical Commission (NMC) to revoke its stay on the suspension of Dr. Prashant Vazirani, a cardiologist at Khyati Multispeciality Hospital in Ahmedabad. The GMC’s request, made on April 24, 2025, came after NMC stayed the GMC’s order suspending Dr. Vazirani’s registration for three years following his involvement in the PMJAY scam.
The controversy stems from the allegations that Dr. Vazirani conducted unnecessary angioplasty surgeries on patients from Mehsana under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). These surgeries were allegedly part of a conspiracy to defraud the government by claiming illicit benefits under the scheme. This malpractice led to the death of two patients and serious health complications for others.
The GMC, which had suspended Dr. Vazirani’s registration on November 28, 2024, claims that NMC’s stay poses a public health threat and undermines trust in the medical regulatory framework. The GMC argues that the allegations against Dr. Vazirani are of a serious nature and constitute a fraud against the government.
NMC Stay and GMC’s Defense:
On April 10, 2025, NMC issued a stay on the GMC’s suspension order, citing the possibility of irreparable harm to Dr. Vazirani while his appeal is under consideration. NMC referred to a 2022 judgment by the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court, which emphasized that immediate action in such cases could harm the individual before a full hearing.
However, the GMC has strongly contested this decision, highlighting that the fraudulent surgeries were carried out on unsuspecting villagers, who were unaware of the unnecessary medical procedures. According to GMC, allowing Dr. Vazirani to continue practicing while under investigation would undermine public trust and pose risks to patient safety.
Ongoing Legal and Regulatory Action:
Dr. Vazirani, along with several others, was arrested in connection with the fraud, and FIRs were filed against him and the staff at Khyati Hospital. Investigations revealed that the surgeries were part of a wider conspiracy to illegally exploit the PMJAY scheme.
The GMC also mentioned that Dr. Vazirani remains in judicial custody, having been denied bail, and that two other doctors involved in the scam, Dr. Sanjay Mulji Patolia and Dr. Shaileshkumar Amrutlal Anand, had their registrations suspended in February 2025.
As the legal proceedings continue, the GMC has emphasized the urgent need for the NMC to vacate the stay in order to maintain the integrity of the medical profession and protect public health.
