Private hospitals to continue Ayushman Bharat services after govt assurances

Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, Jun 30: In a significant relief for thousands of patients dependent on private healthcare institutions across Union Territory, the Jammu and Kashmir Private Hospitals and Dialysis Centres Association (JKPHDA) announced that it has deferred its proposed strike for two weeks following assurances from the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (ABPMJAY)/SEHAT Scheme regarding the release of long-pending payments.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the decision was taken after a meeting convened by the CEO of the ABPMJAY/SEHAT Scheme at his office chambers, which was also attended by the Chief Accounts Officer. The meeting came amid growing concerns that suspension of services by private hospitals would severely affect patients requiring dialysis, chemotherapy, emergency surgeries and intensive care.

The JKPHDA delegation, led by its General Secretary, Dr Masood-ul-Hassan, attended the meeting under the directions of Faizan Mir, President (Kashmir Region), and Sandeep Mengi, President (Jammu Region). The delegation also included Executive Members Dr Ibrahim Guru, Sajad Lone, Dr Mushtaq Purzgar, Dr Nazira, and Dr Bilal.

During the meeting, the Association highlighted the severe financial strain faced by empanelled private hospitals due to nearly six months of unpaid claims under the Ayushman Bharat/SEHAT Scheme. They said the delay in reimbursement had pushed several hospitals to the brink of financial collapse, making it increasingly difficult to sustain critical healthcare services for economically weaker patients.

According to the Association, the CEO gave a patient hearing to all the issues aised and assured that the genuine concerns of the hospitals would be examined at the highest level and resolved in a time-bound manner.

As an immediate confidence-building measure, the CEO assured the delegation that the process of releasing pending payments to empanelled hospitals would begin on Tuesday.

Dr Masood-ul-Hassan said the Association’s primary concern has always been patient welfare rather than confrontation.

“We are not here to fight. We are here to treat. We thank the CEO for his patient hearing and swift assurance. Our hospitals were on the verge of collapse due to six months of unpaid dues. The CEO’s commitment to release funds gives us hope. In the larger interest of poor patients of Jammu and Kashmir, we are deferring our strike by two weeks,” he said.

Dr Hassan, however, made it clear that the Association would closely monitor the implementation of the assurances over the next fortnight.

“We will closely watch the disbursement over the next 14 days. Our dialysis and cancer patients cannot wait. If the assurances translate into action on the ground, we will continue services without disruption. If not, we will be compelled to review our decision,” he added.

The Association also appealed to patients not to panic, assuring them that all healthcare services under the Ayushman Bharat/SEHAT Scheme—including dialysis, chemotherapy, surgeries, ICU care and other treatments—would continue uninterrupted in private hospitals across Jammu and Kashmir during the two-week period. Patients have been advised to visit their respective hospitals as per their scheduled appointments.

JKPHDA also expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister, Health Minister, Lieutenant Governor, and Secretary Health for facilitating the dialogue between the Association and the authorities. It further acknowledged the role played by the media and civil society in drawing attention to the financial crisis confronting private hospitals and its potential impact on patient care.

The Association said it hopes the assurances given by the authorities will translate into concrete action, ensuring both the financial sustainability of private hospitals and the uninterrupted delivery of healthcare services to beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat/SEHAT Scheme across the Union Territory. It had earlier announced that they will stop all services under the scheme from July 01—(KNO)