In Haryana, an ongoing deadlock over pending payments has resulted in private hospitals halting the admission of patients under the Ayushman Bharat and Chirayu Haryana schemes. This protest, spearheaded by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), has significantly impacted healthcare services across the state, with approximately 700 private hospitals refusing treatment to patients under these schemes.
The goal of the state-initiated Chirayu Haryana program and the central government’s Ayushman Bharat program is to treat beneficiaries cashlessly. Through these programs, the government makes sure that private hospitals that treat qualified patients get paid for their services. The state government’s refusal to disburse payments to private hospitals totaling more than ₹225 crore has created a significant problem, though, which has sparked a statewide protest by the medical community.
Many individuals who are in urgent need of medical attention are being turned away, which has brought attention to the severe nature of this issue from both private doctors and hospital staff. Patients who arrived at private hospitals in the Jind district, such as Gauri, Rampal, and Vicky, were compelled to leave without receiving the essential care. Shamser Singh, a resident of Uchana Kalan town’s Chhatar hamlet, described his predicament and said that the payment disagreement had forced him to postpone his planned back surgery. He bemoaned his aggravation, highlighting the fact that although there is still friction between public and private institutions, patients are the ones who suffer the most since they are unsure of where to turn for care.
About 74.33 lakh beneficiaries are covered by the Chirayu scheme in Haryana, and approximately 28.89 lakh beneficiaries are covered by the Ayushman Bharat scheme in the same state. Under these initiatives, any family can receive health coverage for secondary and tertiary care hospitalizations up to ₹5 lakh annually. These beneficiaries, who depend on the promised cashless treatment for urgent healthcare requirements, are under a great deal of stress as a result of the protest-related service disruption.
In response, Dr. Gopal Goyal stated that patients who are turned away from private hospitals are being sent to public hospitals. He underlined that in order to make sure these patients receive the care they require, efforts are being made to speed up the treatment process. The government hospitals are putting up great effort to handle the surge of patients and deliver prompt medical care.
Dr. Ajay Mahajan, the IMA state president, revealed that a meeting was held with Sudhir Rajpal, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of Health. During this meeting, assurances were given to clear the pending payments by July 15. Dr. Mahajan stated that the IMA would wait for the official minutes of the meeting and the fulfillment of the payment promise before resuming normal operations. He underscored that the decision to stop admissions under the Ayushman Bharat and Chirayu Haryana schemes was taken reluctantly but deemed necessary to draw attention to the severe financial constraints faced by the private hospitals.
In response, Dr. Gopal Goyal stated that patients who are turned away from private hospitals are being sent to public hospitals. He underlined that in order to make sure these patients receive the care they require, efforts are being made to speed up the treatment process. The government hospitals are putting up great effort to handle the surge of patients and deliver prompt medical care.
Private hospitals have stopped admitting patients under important government health programs as a result of the prolonged impasse in Haryana over unpaid bills, creating a serious healthcare crisis. Many patients now lack access to essential medical care as a result of the protest, underscoring the pressing need for a settlement. Although there is some hope because the government has promised to pay the outstanding balance by the middle of July, things remain unstable until decisive action is done. The IMA’s position reflects the larger issues facing the healthcare system and emphasizes the vital need for prompt financial support to guarantee the public’s continued access to medical care.
SOURCE:
TIMES OF INDIA
