Private hospitals empanelled under Ayushmaan Bharat scheme postpone suspension of medical services after assurance from Health Secretary; Pending payments will be disbursed within a stipulated time.
The private hospitals of J&K empanelled under Ayushmaan Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna held an online meeting with Administrative Secretary Health, Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah regarding the disbursement of payments for the services provided to patients through golden card.
Mr Faizan, President, Kashmir region of empanelled private health care providers said, “The empanelled hospitals all over J&K have not received any payment since 14th March 2024 which has led to the financial crunch of the hospitals and is getting difficult to run the hospitals with each passing day.
It’s pertinent to mention that IFFCO-TOKIO,the present insurance company associated with it,attempted to exit the scheme citing financial losses. Despite SHA’s requests for them to continue in the interest of patient care, the company refused.
The SHA approached the High Court to stay the exit, but the petition was dismissed on February 2, complicating matters further for both SHA and beneficiaries across the union territory. The government has since approached the division bench to stay the single bench order, making the issue sub-judice.
Mr Sandeep, President Jammu region of the association said, “The private hospitals had written a letter to the Chief Secretary through CEO Ayushmaan Bharat Scheme citing their inability to continue the service from 1st June due to non availability of funds”.
Dr Masood ul Hassan,General Secretary & Chief Spokesperson said, “After the assurance by Dr Abid regarding the disbursement of pending payments within a stipulated time, a late night meeting of the association was held in which it was unanimously decided to postpone the suspension of medical services in the larger interest of patient care”.
