A shocking discovery has come to light. Some private hospitals in India are allegedly exploiting medical camps to inflate patient numbers and maximise profits, often at the expense of patient welfare.

Recent reports have brought this issue to the forefront, especially after four patients tragically died in Ahmedabad’s Khyati Hospital, reportedly following unnecessary angioplasty procedures conducted through medical camps.

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Investigations revealed a pattern of screening patients at these camps, diagnosing them with exaggerated or fabricated ailments, and persuading them to undergo costly procedures.

These so-called “charitable” medical camps are strategically organised in rural or underserved areas, ostensibly to provide free health check-ups. However, their primary goal seems to be converting attendees into paying inpatients. Marketing teams meticulously track conversion rates, ensuring that 15-20% of camp attendees eventually require hospitalisation.

Patients are lured with promises of free consultations and discounted treatments. Once diagnosed, they’re bombarded with follow-up calls, discounts, and even transport offers to seal the deal. The lack of external audits exacerbates the problem, allowing questionable diagnoses and unnecessary treatments to go unchecked.

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The Khyati Hospital case underlines the gravity of this issue. Under the guise of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PM-JAY), this hospital allegedly performed unwarranted procedures, leading to multiple deaths and legal action against its management.

This exploitation not only undermines public trust in healthcare but also highlights the need for stricter oversight. Authorities must act swiftly to ensure medical ethics and patient welfare remain paramount.