Srinagar, Aug 28 (KNO): Hundreds of patients in Jammu & Kashmir are facing a crisis as private hospitals in the union territory have threatened to halt services under the Ayushman Bharat scheme from September 1. The decision has caused widespread concern among patients who rely on these services for essential medical treatments.
Scores of patients, speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), have urged the government to intervene to prevent any disruption of these crucial healthcare services.
Ghulam Mohammad, a kidney patient from Srinagar, shared his plight, saying that he requires dialysis four times a month, which costs around 20,000 rupees. He manages these expenses only because of the financial support provided by the Ayushman Bharat golden card.
"My daughter works as a private school teacher and earns about Rs 7,000 per month, which we use to manage our family expenses," he said. "We have no other source of income, and if these services are stopped, I won’t be able to afford my treatment."
Sabahat, another patient from Shopian who suffers from a chronic disease requiring lifelong treatment, said she has been receiving treatment under the Ayushman Bharat scheme and fears that without it, she will not be able to continue her medical care due to a lack of financial resources.
Many patients have expressed similar worries, fearing they will be unable to afford necessary treatments if the services are discontinued. They have collectively called on the government to intervene and ensure these essential healthcare services remain available to those in need.
The private hospitals in Jammu & Kashmir have threatened to stop services under the Ayushman Bharat scheme from September 1, 2024, due to non-receipt of funds since March this year.
Last November, IFFCO-TOKIO General Insurance Company, the insurer for Ayushman Bharat in J&K, informed the State Health Agency (SHA) of their decision not to renew the contract after its expiry on March 14, 2025.
Initially, the scheme was managed by Bajaj Allianz GIC, whose contract ended in 2022. IFFCO-TOKIO was brought in as a replacement but has since attempted to withdraw from the scheme, citing financial losses. Despite requests from the SHA for the company to continue operations in the interest of patient care, IFFCO-TOKIO refused.
The SHA then approached the High Court to prevent the company’s exit, but the petition was dismissed on February 2, which complicated the situation further.
The government has now appealed to the division bench to stay the single bench's order, making the issue sub-judice.
Officials said the government is making every effort to resolve the issue within the next two days to avoid disruption of services for poor patients. "We have a budget provision of Rs 500 crore, and payment to hospitals is not an issue. There is only a technical issue that the court will decide, and accordingly, the matter will be resolved," an official said.
Currently, around 1,500 patients benefit daily from the Ayushman Bharat scheme in J&K, and efforts are being made to ensure that these services continue uninterrupted, he added—(KNO)