Imran Naikoo

Srinagar, March 14 (Gulistan News TV): The Jammu and Kashmir Private Hospitals and Dialysis Centres Association has voiced serious concerns following the government’s recent order under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) SEHAT scheme, commonly known as the Golden Card scheme.

The association highlighted a 10% reduction in package rates, which they claim has made it unsustainable for private hospitals to continue operations under the scheme. Additionally, dues amounting to ₹350 crore have been pending since October 2024, further straining hospital finances. Distributors are also demanding their payments, creating additional financial stress for private healthcare providers.

The association revealed that no new contract has been signed with the State Health Agency (SHA) since August 14, 2024. Despite this, private hospitals have continued to provide dialysis services under the scheme without turning away any patients, viewing it as a humanitarian issue rather than a financial one.

The government’s decision to shift four common surgical procedures ; Cholecystectomy, Hemorrhoidectomy, Fissure in Ano and Appendectomy exclusively to government hospitals has significantly impacted private institutions. These procedures accounted for 50-60% of their workload. Consequently, private hospitals have reported a sharp decline in demand for their services, forcing them to lay off employees. This decision has directly jeopardized the jobs of approximately 11,000 workers employed in the private healthcare sector.

The association has appealed to the government to reconsider these decisions, features the impact on employment, healthcare services and the overall sustainability of private hospitals. They urged the timely release of pending dues, restoration of package rates and inclusion of these surgical procedures in the Golden Card scheme to ensure continued patient care and the survival of private healthcare facilities.
(Gulistan News TV)